A video of X owner Elon Musk making a hand gesture during a rally celebrating US President Donald Trump’s inauguration has ignited heated debate online. Many social media users likened the movement to a Nazi salute, drawing sharp criticism and sparking widespread discussion.
During his speech at the rally in Washington’s Capitol One Arena, Musk emphasised the significance of Trump’s victory, calling it a pivotal moment in human history. “This was no ordinary victory. It was a fork in the road of human civilisation,” Musk declared.
The controversy erupted when Musk placed his hand over his heart before extending it outward at an upward angle. The gesture, which he repeated while addressing the crowd behind him, prompted historians and netizens to scrutinise its resemblance to a Nazi salute. However, several Musk supporters are defending his gesture as well.
DO NOT BELIEVE THE MEDIA
The media is misleading you. Elon Musk never did a Nazi salute. Watch the full video: He simply gestured and said, “Thank you, my heart goes out to you.” pic.twitter.com/e3vBaLoVqx
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) January 20, 2025
How Did Musk React?
Despite the backlash, Musk dismissed the allegations with a sharp retort on X. “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” Musk tweeted.
Frankly, they need better dirty tricks.
The “everyone is Hitler” attack is sooo tired 😴 https://t.co/9fIqS5mWA0
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025
Mixed Reactions
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian specializing in authoritarianism, described the gesture as a clear “Nazi salute” and called it “very belligerent,” as reported by NDTV. Claire Aubin, another historian focusing on Nazism in the United States, echoed the sentiment, referring to the gesture as a “sieg heil.”
While criticism flooded online platforms, several individuals and organizations came to Musk’s defence.
This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety.
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…
— ADL (@ADL) January 20, 2025
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has previously criticized Musk, argued that the gesture seemed more like an awkward move rather than an intentional Nazi reference.
Elon Musk just last year traveled with Ben Shapiro to Auschwitz and then Israel to learn about the Holocaust and Jewish history.
Anyone trying to portray him as a Nazi is intentionally misleading the public. It was a stupid hand gesture, not an intentional Nazi salute. pic.twitter.com/rUOZ0HWHNR
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) January 20, 2025
One user pointed out Musk’s past efforts to understand Jewish history, noting his visit to Auschwitz and Israel last year.
Amid this heated discussion, images of similar gestures made by political figures such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have resurfaced online, further fueling the debate.
I can’t take some of you people seriously anymore. I swear, some of you are just looking for negativity in everything. 🤣 Elon Musk, who has Asperger’s and is on the autism spectrum, was simply excited and being goofy—yet some are claiming he did a Nazi salute. If that’s the… pic.twitter.com/S3z0svALgN
— DEL (@delinthecity_) January 20, 2025
The incident has left social media users divided, with some calling for accountability while others argue that the uproar is unwarranted.
