Elon Musk’s hand gesture during a celebration for President Donald Trump’s inauguration sparked online comparisons to a Nazi salute. However, a leading antisemitism watchdog dismissed the speculation, calling it a display of enthusiasm rather than a deliberate signal.
The billionaire dismissed the backlash as a “tired” smear campaign.
Musk’s Stage Appearance and Gesture
Addressing a crowd at Washington’s Capital One Arena, Musk received thunderous applause, enthusiastically pumping his arms and shouting “Yesssss.” In his speech, Musk called the event a pivotal moment:
“This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization. This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you.”
During his remarks, Musk placed his right hand on his chest with fingers spread wide, then raised his arm at an upward angle, palm facing downward, and fingers together. He repeated the gesture toward the audience behind him, adding:
“My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.”
The gesture was quickly scrutinized, fueling online debate.
Mixed Reactions and Statements
The Jerusalem Post highlighted the incident in a provocative headline: “Did Elon Musk Sieg Heil at Trump’s inauguration?” However, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent group tracking antisemitism, refuted this narrative.
“It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute. But again, we appreciate that people are on edge,” the organization said in a statement Monday.
Musk responded directly on X, the social media platform he owns, criticizing what he saw as a baseless attack. “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” he wrote.
Video and Online Defense
Following his speech, Musk shared a Fox News video clip of the event on X, captioning it, “The future is so exciting.” The clip notably omitted the moment when Musk made the controversial gesture.
While some social media users were quick to condemn the motion, others defended Musk, suggesting the gesture conveyed heartfelt appreciation rather than anything malicious.
Broader Implications
The controversy surrounding Musk’s gesture comes amid heightened scrutiny of his political leanings. Musk has recently expressed support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which opposes immigration and Islam and has been classified as extremist by German security agencies. Earlier this month, Musk hosted the party’s leader on his platform for a live broadcast.
Also Read: Ways to Stream Trump’s Inauguration in 2025
A spokesperson for former President Trump did not respond to requests for comment on the incident.
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