As the debate continues about what billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk intended when he made straight-arm gestures at an inauguration event, Musk posted a series of Nazi-themed puns on Thursday to his more than 200 million followers on X, the social media platform he owns.
“Don’t say Hess to Nazi accusations! Some people will Goebbels anything down!” Musk wrote, referencing the names of prominent German Nazis.
On Inauguration Day, Musk was less than a minute into his speech at Washington’s Capital One Arena when he thanked the crowd for its help electing President Trump. He slapped his right hand over his heart and swung it out straight ahead with his palm facing down. He turned around and repeated the motion. He then said, “My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.”
The incident lasted only seconds, but it sparked what has become a global debate about how to interpret what Musk did. To many observers, Musk’s arm movement appeared to be a Nazi salute.
“I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal,” U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., wrote on X. A number of Jewish organizations condemned Musk’s actions. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organization, called on Musk to clarify or apologize for the gesture.
But others challenged that interpretation, including the Anti-Defamation League, which calls itself a global leader in combating antisemitism and countering extremism.
“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 organization posted.
Read more from NPR: https://www.npr.org/2025/01/23/nx-s1-5269719/elon-musk-salute-inauguration-day-nazis
