Elon Musk Responds to Outrage Over Controversial Gesture at Trump Rally
Elon Musk has sparked controversy following a gesture he made during a rally celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration. The billionaire entrepreneur, speaking at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., performed a one-armed motion that many have criticized as resembling a Nazi salute.
Musk, addressing the crowd, expressed gratitude, saying, “My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.” He placed his right hand over his heart before extending his arm outward. The gesture was repeated for the audience behind him.
Critics on social media, particularly on Musk’s platform X, likened the motion to a “sieg heil,” a Nazi salute. Musk, however, dismissed the allegations, posting, “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
Historians have weighed in on the debate. Claire Aubin, an expert on Nazism in the U.S., described the action as a clear reference to a Nazi salute, while New York University professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat called it “a belligerent gesture with fascist overtones.”
Adding fuel to the controversy, Andrea Stroppa, a close Musk confidant, initially captioned a clip of the gesture with “Roman Empire is back starting from Roman salute.” The post, reportedly referencing Mussolini’s Fascist Party salute, was deleted shortly afterward. Stroppa later clarified, claiming Musk’s gesture was a heartfelt expression, saying, “That is Elon, who has autism, expressing his feelings by giving his heart to the people.”
Musk’s political stance has drawn attention in recent months, with his support for far-right parties in Europe and the UK raising eyebrows. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on the incident at the World Economic Forum, emphasizing the need to oppose extremist symbols.
Meanwhile, some groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, defended Musk. “It seems Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute,” the organization stated.
Despite the backlash, Musk remains a prominent ally of Trump and is set to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency under the new administration.
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