Elon Musk, one of the wealthiest people on the planet, has come under fire for a controversial hand gesture during a speech commemorating Donald Trump’s inauguration that appeared to be the Nazi salute.
Musk said at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, “This was a turning point for human civilisation.”
“This one was very important.” Thanks for making this possible! Thank you.
Musk then hit his chest with his right hand and raised his arm with his palm down and fingers together.
His movements quickly attracted attention online, with some social media users claiming he was making the Sieg Heil salute linked to Adolf Hitler.
Elon Adolf Musk Hitler… ✋ pic.twitter.com/6ZUIJowXMb
— JorgeLuis🇵🇸 (@JL_SR2024) January 21, 2025
"President Musk"
— Sumit (@SumitHansd) January 21, 2025
He never got to meet his hero but today he got to salute him
ELON MUSK IS A NAZI
Adolf Hitler
World War 3 WWIII Coming?
Donald J. Trump enters the White House for the first time as the 47th President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/nDn9zPltoH
Response from Elon Musk
Elon Musk has dismissed the controversy over a one-armed move.
In answer, the head of SpaceX and Tesla said: “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
Frankly, they need better dirty tricks.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025
The “everyone is Hitler” attack is sooo tired 😴 https://t.co/9fIqS5mWA0
Some of Musk’s supporters rushed to defend him, claiming that he had instead been giving the Roman salute.
The Roman greeting was commonly used in Italy by Mussolini’s Fascist Party, and later, it was also used by Hitler.
The billionaire has become one of Trump’s closest supporters and has been chosen to help lead what the president calls the Department of Government Efficiency.
