Did Elon Musk Give a Nazi Salute at Trump’s Inauguration?

New Delhi: Tech billionaire Elon Musk once again stirred controversy as he made a hand gesture similar to the Nazi salute at US president Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday (Jan 20).

Musk was speaking at the Capital One Arena stage in Washington when he put his hand on his chest and then raised it, palm down and fingers together, towards the audience at an upward angle. He then turned around and repeated the gesture before continuing his speech. 

"This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization. This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you," Musk said 

"My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured," he said after his hand gesture.

Also read: Elon Musk, the Global Right-Wing and India's Place in This Escalating Friendship

While the gesture was subject to immediate scrutiny online and by the media, an antisemitism-tracker, Anti-Defamation League, said that it appeared to be a moment of enthusiasm instead. 

"It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge," the organisation said on Monday.

Musk dismissed criticism of the hand gesture in a post on X and said, "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired.

However, while posting a clip of his speech on X, Musk chose a Fox News video that cut away from the podium when he made the first gesture while facing the cameras. 

CONFIRMED pic.twitter.com/AkBueNPHFB

— The Meme-Industrial Complex (@MemeIndustrial) January 21, 2025

Users on X were divided on whether it was indeed a Nazi salute. However, many have made visual references and comparisons with images of Adolf Hitler doing the Seig Heil with Musk’s version at the inauguration. 

“Grandson of Nazi party members, Elon Musk, throwing up Nazi salutes at the US presidential inauguration while the crowd of Republicans go wild with applause and cheers,” a user wrote on X.

“Within hours of Donald Trump taking the oath of office, billionaire Elon Musk gave the Nazi salute during his speech at an inauguration rally. It was not an accident or a mistake, he did it twice,” said another. 

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