Washington, D.C. – Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), found himself at the center of a heated controversy on Monday, January 20, after making a gesture during a speech at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The rally was held in support of Donald Trump, hours after his inauguration for a second term as President of the United States.
Musk’s actions, which involved tapping his chest with his right hand before extending his arm with an open palm, were interpreted by some observers as resembling a Nazi salute. The gesture, repeated during the speech, has drawn sharp criticism from historians, politicians, and the media, while others have dismissed it as a misstep or misinterpretation.
Accusations and Criticism
Several experts on fascism, including historian Claire Aubin and professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat, publicly criticized Musk's gesture. Aubin described it as a “sieg heil,” while Ben-Ghiat referred to it as an "aggressive" version of the Nazi salute. International outlets, including Haaretz and The Guardian, also suggested that Musk's gesture bore resemblance to fascist salutes. Frankly, they need better dirty tricks.
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Democratic politicians joined the backlash. Former Congresswoman Cori Bush and Representative Jimmy Gomez expressed outrage on social media, accusing Musk of pandering to far-right ideologies.
Musk’s Defense
In response, Musk dismissed the allegations as a "dirty trick" orchestrated by Democrats. Writing on X, he denied any fascist intent and accused his critics of misrepresenting the gesture.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has previously clashed with Musk, defended him in this instance. The organization stated that the gesture appeared to be a clumsy act of enthusiasm rather than a deliberate Nazi salute. However, the ADL’s defense was met with criticism from figures like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who accused the group of downplaying the implications of the gesture.
Mixed Reactions
Brandon Galambos, a pastor who attended the rally, suggested the gesture was meant as humor. "He’s very funny and uses a lot of sarcasm. The left is just overreacting," he told AFP.
Historian Aaron Astor offered a nuanced perspective, arguing that Musk’s gesture should not be classified as a Nazi salute. "This was a socially awkward hand signal from an autistic man expressing solidarity with the crowd," Astor said on X, adding that Musk has faced criticism in the past for platforming neo-Nazi content but that this particular incident was being misinterpreted.
Far-Right Endorsements and Global Criticism
The controversy has fueled debates about Musk’s recent statements and actions, including his vocal support for far-right European parties such as Germany's AfD and Italy's Fratelli d’Italia. These endorsements, combined with his controversial gesture, have intensified scrutiny of the billionaire’s political affiliations and influence.
As the debate continues, the incident highlights the polarizing role Musk occupies in contemporary politics and media, with his actions subject to both fervent support and vehement criticism.
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