- Elon Musk faces backlash for controversial hand gestures during Trump’s inauguration speech.
- The gestures were compared to the Nazi and Roman salutes, sparking social media criticism.
- Musk’s actions have drawn attention from both global and Israeli media, adding to his public controversy.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk is facing backlash after performing hand gestures during a speech that resembled the Nazi salute.
While addressing Trump supporters hours after Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US president, Musk referred to the November 4 election result as “no ordinary victory,” calling it “a fork in the road of human civilization.”
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After thanking the crowd, Musk made a hand gesture by striking his chest with his right hand, followed by extending his arm upward with fingers together and palm facing down, a move that some viewers online linked to the infamous Nazi salute.
Social media commentators, including British journalist Owen Jones, criticized the gesture, while Israeli media also pointed out its resemblance to a fascist “Roman salute” associated with Nazi Germany.
Elon Musk received support from some quarters, including The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a leading organization against anti-Semitism, which described his gesture as an “awkward movement made in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.”
The ADL called for grace on all sides, urging people to give Musk the “benefit of the doubt” and to take a step back: “This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”
We reached out to Musk’s lawyer and companies for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
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Musk’s political views have shifted notably to the right in recent months, especially after voicing support for Trump following an assassination attempt on the Republican in July.
Earlier this month, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party, for a conversation on his platform, X, after endorsing her party in February’s national elections.
