WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk gestures while speaking during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is being slammed for using what appeared to be a fascist hand gesture during his speech at the Capitol One Arena.
After Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20, Musk gave a brief speech at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., praising the president.
“I just want to say thank you for making it happen,” he declared regarding Trump’s victory. “Thank you.”
As the audience cheered loudly, the Tesla CEO then slapped his right hand to his chest and raised it diagonally into the air, with his fingers together and palm down.
He repeated this gesture after turning around while the audience continued to cheer.
“My heart goes out to you,” Musk told the crowd after slapping his right hand to his chest once more.
Many users on X accused him of using the “Nazi salute,” a victory sign used in Nazi Germany, which was performed by extending the right arm from the shoulder in the air with a straightened hand.
“I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal,” Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-New York) wrote on social media. “This abhorrent gesture has no place in our society and belongs in the darkest chapters of human history. I urge all of my colleagues to unite in condemning this hateful gesture for what it is: antisemitism.”
One X user wrote: “Elon Musk did a Nazi salute cuz he’s a racist fascist.”
“[Elon Musk] giving a Nazi salute,” wrote another. “These oligarchs feel so empowered under Trump that they have no fear of retribution.”
The X CEO replied to this post, saying that Democrats “need better dirty tricks.”
“The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” he added.
Last month, Musk removed the X verification badges from Gavin Mario Wax, Laura Loomer, Owen Shroyer and ConservativePAC’s accounts after they criticized his opinions on immigration and labor earlier that day.
The Tesla CEO has been staying at a cottage on the grounds of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The cottage costs at least $2,000 a night and is located several hundred feet away from the estate’s primary house.
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