The Los Angeles Times (TNS) by Kevin Rector
After twice doing what some saw to be a Nazi salute from an inaugural stage, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and a top assistant to President Trump, received and swiftly dismissed a barrage of criticism from Democratic lawmakers, left-wing leaders overseas, and others online.
The motions were done by Musk, who has supported antisemitic statements and allied himself with far-right groups, such as the Alternative for Germany in that nation, during an ecstatic speech commemorating Trump’s comeback to power at an indoor gathering on Monday at Capital One Arena in Washington.
I only want to express my gratitude for making it possible. “Thank you,” Musk told the audience. With his right arm rigidly stretched, he slapped his chest with his right hand before shooting it out and up, palm down, open, and flat.
Then he turned and gestured in the opposite way in a similar manner. “My thoughts are with you,” he said.
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, makes gestures while speaking during the inauguration procession on January 20, 2025, inside Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC. (Image courtesy of AFP/ANGELA WEISS)Getty Images via AFP
Musk was defended by some. With a post on X, a platform that Musk controls, the Anti-Defamation League, which combats antisemitism, gave Musk a pass.
The group stated, “We appreciate that people are on edge, even though it appears Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm that wasn’t a Nazi salute.” Everyone involved should take a minute to breathe and provide each other some grace, if not the benefit of the doubt.
Others were vehemently opposed.
As Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said in response to the ADL’s post on X, “Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity.” Officially, people can no longer consider you to be a reliable source of information. They employ you. I appreciate you making that very obvious to everyone.
At an inaugural event, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., expressed surprise at Musk’s generosity.
Nadler said on X, “I never thought we would see the day when what looks like a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal.”
Left-wing politicians throughout Europe shared the fears, which led to a heated internet discussion in which viewers juxtaposed videos of Musk and Hitler.
Other people defended Musk. Musk updated the statement when one X account referred to the commotion as a hoax and part of what he has previously described as a liberal campaign of dirty tricks.
They need better dirty tricks, to be honest. He commented, “Everyone is so exhausted from the Hitler attack,” and then included a sleeping face emoji.
Musk further implied on X that the controversy over his motions was proof of propaganda from the traditional media.
The issue was brought up in Congress once more on Tuesday.
Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn., questioned Elise Stefanik, Trump’s nominee for ambassador to the UN, during a confirmation hearing what she thought of Musk giving two Heil Hitler salutes during the president’s televised rally last night.
No. According to Stefanik, Elon Musk did not perform those salutes. She claimed that Musk is a visionary and enjoys supporting Trump.
According to her, Musk did not actually make Nazi salutes. The American people are intelligent enough to see through it, to put it another way. They back Elon Musk.
Murphy went on to say that neo-Nazi and other far-right and white supremacist extremists nationwide had expressed their approval of Musk’s use of Nazi salutes on the internet, and they congratulated him for it. He then asked Stefanik what she thought of that.
Both Murphy and Trump have a solid track record of fighting antisemitism, Stefanik added, criticizing Murphy for posing the topic.