Elon Musk's Hand Gesture At Donald Trump's Inauguration Sparks 'Nazi Salute' Debate

WASHINGTON: Elon Musk has been embroiled in a fresh controversy after a speech where his hand gestures were interpreted by some as resembling a Nazi salute. This happened while he was addressing supporters of Donald Trump shortly after the Republican's inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on Monday.

During his remarks at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC, Musk characterized the election outcome as “no ordinary victory,” stating, “This was a fork in the road of human civilization.” He expressed gratitude to the crowd, saying, “Thank you for making it happen! Thank you.” Following this, Musk thumped his chest with his right hand and extended his arm upward with his palm facing down and fingers together. He repeated the gesture while facing the audience behind him.

Critics on social media quickly reacted, claiming the gesture was just an imitation of Adolf Hitler's infamous Sieg Heil salute. British journalist Owen Jones described the gesture as recalling a Nazi salute. An Israeli source, Haaretz, said it was a "Roman salute," often associated with fascism.

However, some quarters came to Musk's defense, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which said that the gesture of the billionaire "appears to be an awkward expression of enthusiasm rather than a Nazi salute."  The ADL urged understanding and grace in this current political climate. Of course, Musk's political position has shifted quite noticeably to the right, particularly after his endorsement of Trump and his recent interactions with far-right figures.

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