Elon Musk Responds After Being Accused Of Making A “Nazi Gesture” At The Inauguration Celebrations

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, found himself at the center of controversy after allegations that he performed a “Nazi-style” salute during former President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. Musk had attended the event to show his support for Trump, who took office as the 47th president of the United States.

The inauguration, a highly anticipated event, was attended by many high-profile figures, but Musk’s actions quickly became the subject of widespread debate. During Trump’s speech, Musk was seen in the crowd, smiling and clapping as the new president took the stage. Musk, known for his strong personality and bold public statements, appeared energized as he praised the audience for their enthusiasm. He even spoke briefly about raising the American flag on Mars, a reference to SpaceX’s long-term ambitions of making humanity a multi-planetary species.

However, what should have been a celebratory moment quickly turned sour. As Trump continued his address, Musk raised his arm and pounded his chest, holding his right arm up toward the sky in what many viewers felt was an alarming gesture. The action, which many deemed inappropriate, bore a striking resemblance to the infamous Nazi salute associated with Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. The gesture set off a wave of backlash across social media platforms.

Many Twitter users and observers immediately jumped to conclusions, comparing Musk’s movement to the notorious salute. One Twitter user posted, “Elon Musk just did a Nazi salute on national television,” which quickly garnered thousands of retweets and reactions. The incident dominated headlines, with CNN anchors drawing attention to the gesture’s visual similarity to Nazi-era salutes, a historical reference that stirred deep emotional reactions.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism and hate speech, also weighed in. They issued a statement, clarifying that the Nazi salute involves “raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down,” which was a symbolic gesture of loyalty to Hitler. While the gesture Musk made during the inauguration was not identical to the Nazi salute, the resemblance was striking enough to spark significant concern among critics, who questioned Musk’s intentions.

The response to the incident was swift and polarized. Some were quick to defend Musk, claiming that his action was a harmless gesture of enthusiasm, not an intentional salute. They argued that people were reading too much into the situation and that Musk’s critics were simply using the opportunity to attack him. Supporters of Musk pointed out that the billionaire entrepreneur is no stranger to controversy and that his actions are often misinterpreted by his detractors.

However, others remained unconvinced. The backlash was so intense that Musk’s team issued a statement, which was posted on Musk’s social media platform, X. In his response, Musk dismissed the allegations as part of a “dirty tricks campaign” designed to undermine him. He called the criticism “tired” and “uninspired,” even going so far as to accuse his political opponents of attempting to discredit him with exaggerated claims. Musk also added, “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” indicating his frustration with what he perceived as baseless comparisons to historical figures.

The controversy surrounding Musk’s gesture has raised important questions about how public figures are scrutinized in the age of social media. In today’s hyper-connected world, moments captured on camera are often dissected in real-time, and every action is magnified under the public microscope. Musk, who is no stranger to online debates, has frequently engaged with critics, but this incident highlighted the complex balance he must strike between his public persona and the scrutiny he faces.

As the story continues to unfold, the debate over Musk’s gesture remains unresolved. While some may never fully accept his explanation, others may view this as yet another example of a public figure caught in the crossfire of political polarization. Whether or not Musk intended to make a Nazi-style salute, the incident serves as a reminder of the powerful impact of symbolism and the potential consequences of misinterpretation in the digital age.