On January 20, 2025, during a rally celebrating President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, tech mogul Elon Musk made a gesture that has ignited widespread controversy and debate. Musk placed his hand over his heart and extended his arm outward, a motion that many interpreted as resembling a Nazi salute. This action has led to a flurry of reactions from political figures, organizations, and the public worldwide.
Diverse Reactions
In Europe, the response was swift and severe. Germany’s The Left party called for Musk to be banned from entering the country, citing both the gesture and his previous support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Austria’s Green Party echoed this sentiment, urging authorities to consider denying Musk entry. Michel Friedman, a German-French publicist and former deputy chair of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, described Musk’s gesture as a “disgrace” and emphasized the dangers of such actions.
In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Musk, stating that he was “being falsely smeared” and lauding him as “a great friend of Israel.” In the United States, reactions were mixed. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) described Musk’s action as “an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm,” downplaying the notion that it was an intentional Nazi salute. However, former ADL national director Abraham Foxman disagreed, labeling the gesture as a “Heil Hitler Nazi salute.”
Musk’s Response
Elon Musk addressed the backlash on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” but did not explicitly deny the allegations. He later posted a series of Nazi-themed jokes, which the ADL condemned as “inappropriate” and “highly offensive.”
Public and Online Reactions
The gesture has also led to significant online reactions. Several major subforums on Reddit have banned links to or images from X in protest of Musk’s action. Additionally, neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups have reportedly celebrated the gesture, regardless of Musk’s intent.
Expert Opinions
Jared Holt from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which monitors online hate, expressed skepticism about the gesture being intentional, suggesting it might have been a gesture of thanks to the crowd. Conversely, historian of fascism Ruth Ben-Ghiat interpreted the gesture as a Nazi salute, highlighting the importance of context and the potential for such actions to embolden extremist groups.
Elon Musk’s gesture at the Trump inauguration rally has sparked a global conversation about symbolism, intent, and the responsibilities of public figures. As debates continue, the incident underscores the deep sensitivities surrounding historical symbols and the varied interpretations they can elicit in today’s polarized world.