During President Donald Trump’s inauguration celebrations, Elon Musk made a hand gesture that has sparked controversy online, with some interpreting it as a Nazi salute. While addressing the crowd at Washington D.C.’s Capital One Arena, Musk extended his arm with his palm facing down, a gesture that some likened to a fascist-style salute.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization specializing in tracking antisemitism, commented on the incident, suggesting that the gesture appeared to be an innocuous expression of excitement rather than an intentional salute. Musk dismissed the criticism as a “tired” attack, stating on his social media platform, X, that people needed better critiques.
Despite the ADL’s clarification, the gesture has drawn significant backlash. Public figures, including Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), expressed concern, with Nadler posting on X: “I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal.”
