Elon Musk at Trump’s inauguration:

Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk sparked controversy following a hand gesture he made during a speech on U.S. President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day. The gesture drew widespread criticism and was compared to a Nazi salute. Musk, who is the owner of X and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, appeared at a rally for Trump’s supporters at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, on Monday. The incident quickly garnered attention on social media, with many condemning the gesture as inappropriate, while others defended During his speech, Elon Musk described the moment as "no ordinary victory," calling it "a fork in the road of human civilization." He expressed deep gratitude to the crowd, saying, "Thank you for making it happen!" Musk then performed a gesture, touching his chest with his right hand before extending his arm upward, repeating the motion. He concluded, "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured."

The gesture quickly sparked outrage on social media, with many comparing it to a Nazi salute associated with Adolf Hitler's supporters. Musk responded to the backlash by dismissing the criticism, writing on X that the "everyone is Hitler" accusation was "sooo tired."

What’s the response to Musk’s salute?

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and fascism at New York University, criticized Elon Musk’s gesture, calling it a “Nazi salute – and a very belligerent one too” on X. However, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) disagreed, stating that Musk's actions were simply an “awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm” rather than a Nazi salute.

Aaron Astor, a history professor at Maryville College, supported the ADL’s view, suggesting it was “not a Nazi salute,” but rather “a socially awkward autistic man’s wave to the crowd.” Despite these explanations, the gesture gained attention from neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups. Rolling Stone reported that Christopher Pohlhaus, leader of the neo-Nazi Blood Tribe, shared the video on Telegram with the caption, “I don’t care if this was a mistake. I’m going to enjoy the tears over it.”

What is the history behind the gesture?

The Nazi salute, or Heil Hitler salute, which involves extending the right arm with the palm facing downward, was originally used as an official greeting in Nazi Germany. However, the gesture has older roots, with some tracing its origins to ancient Rome.

In 1925, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, seeking to revive the legacy of imperial Rome, adopted the salute. By 1926, the Nazi Party in Germany began using the gesture, and it became mandatory for all party members to use it.

What is the Bellamy salute?

In 1892, American Christian minister Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance to promote patriotism. As the pledge gained popularity, the magazine Youth Companion, where Bellamy worked, created a salute to accompany it. Known as the Bellamy salute, it involved extending the right arm slightly upward with the palm facing down.

The salute was widely used across the U.S. without controversy until World War II, when the U.S. entered the war against the Axis powers, including Germany and Italy. Concerns arose that the Bellamy salute could be misinterpreted as a symbol of allegiance to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. In response, the U.S. Congress amended the Flag Code in December 1942, changing the salute to placing the right hand over the heart.

Where is the Nazi salute banned and Has Musk backed figures with Nazi links?

After World War II, Germany and Austria implemented strict bans on the Nazi salute and Nazi symbols, with violations punishable by prison time. In January 2024, Australia also outlawed the Nazi salute, swastikas, and SS insignia. Similarly, countries like Canada, France, and Switzerland have classified Nazi gestures as hate speech.

In contrast, the U.S. does not prohibit such salutes due to First Amendment protections, which extend to hate speech. Elon Musk has faced backlash for endorsing a post in 2023 on X that claimed Jews hate white people, a statement he described as “the actual truth.” The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned Musk’s post, calling it “profoundly disturbing.” Musk later asserted that both he and X oppose anti-Semitism.

Additionally, Musk has supported far-right political movements, including Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and the British Reform UK party. His ties to right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has a history with neo-fascism, have raised further concerns about his political leanings.

References

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• Connolly, K. (2025, January 22). ‘The gesture speaks for itself’: Germans respond to Musk’s apparent Nazi salute. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/21/the-gesture-speaks-for-itself-germans-divided-over-musks-apparent-nazi-salute
• Explorepedia-Tesla CEO SpaceX-Founder. (n.d.). https://explorepedia.org/explore/elon-musk
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• Maryville College. (2025, January 29). * Welcome to Maryville College | Everyday unexpected *. https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/
• Matthias, & Meg. (2025, February 18). Alternative for Germany (AFD) | Beliefs, platform, & scandals. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alternative-for-Germany
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• Ruth Ben-Ghiat | historian - author - political commentator. (n.d.). https://ruthbenghiat.com/
• The Pledge of Allegiance | WA Secretary of State. (n.d.). https://www.sos.wa.gov/pledge-allegiance