Musk's One-Armed Gesture at Trump Rally Sparks Controversy

Billionaire mogul Elon Musk finds himself at the center of criticism as his arm gesture during a Trump rally is likened to a Nazi salute.

Elon Musk has stirred controversy following a speech he made celebrating Donald Trump's inauguration, where a gesture he made received significant backlash. While addressing the crowd at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC, Musk expressed gratitude for their support, placing his right hand over his heart before thrusting the same arm forward into the air. He repeated the motion for attendees seated behind him, which many on X, the social media platform he owns, interpreted as reminiscent of a Nazi salute.

In response to the uproar, Musk hit back on X, stating, "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired." As the world's richest man and a notable Trump ally, Musk's every action is under scrutiny, and this gesture further fueled discussions regarding his political leanings. "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured," he continued after the second salute.

Historians and political commentators were quick to respond. Claire Aubin, a historian specializing in Nazism, asserted on X that the gesture resembled a "sieg heil." Similarly, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at NYU, labeled it a "Nazi salute" that carried a particularly aggressive tone. Adding to the conversation, Andrea Stroppa, a close associate of Musk who has ties to Italy's far-right, shared a clip of the gesture with a caption referencing the Roman Empire. However, he later deleted the post, clarifying that Musk, diagnosed with autism, was simply expressing his gratitude.

The backlash occurs amid growing concerns about Musk's rightward political shift, evident in his recent endorsements of far-right parties in Germany and the UK. At the World Economic Forum, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed the topic, indicating that while Europe holds freedom of speech dearly, they do not accept support for extremist ideologies.

Defending Musk, some groups like the Anti-Defamation League emphasized that the gesture appeared to be an awkward moment of exuberance rather than a deliberate salute. As Musk allies closely with Trump, the dynamics of their political narrative continue to evolve amid the ongoing scrutiny.