Elon Musk’s Controversial Hand Gesture at Trump Rally Sparks Debate Online-Watch

“Historians and organisations weigh in on Musk’s viral gesture amid accusations of a Nazi salute and clarifications from his supporters.”

January 21, 2025: Elon Musk, the billionaire tech mogul and close ally of former President Donald Trump, has drawn significant online attention following a gesture made during a rally celebrating Trump’s inauguration. The event, held at Capitol One Arena in Washington, was marked by Musk’s passionate speech about what he described as a pivotal moment in human civilisation.

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“This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilisation,” Musk declared. “Thank you for making it happen! Thank you.”

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The moment that sparked controversy occurred when Musk placed his hand on his heart before extending his arm upward at an angle, palm down, with fingers together. The gesture, repeated toward the crowd behind him, quickly went viral, with many social media users and historians interpreting it as a Nazi salute.

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Divided Opinions

Historians Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Claire Aubin both identified the gesture as resembling a “sieg heil,” a salute associated with Nazi Germany. Aubin urged viewers to trust their instincts, stating, “You should believe your eyes.”

However, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has previously criticized Musk, defended the gesture, categorizing it as “awkward enthusiasm” rather than a deliberate Nazi salute. Historian Aaron Astor also backed Musk, stating, “This gesture is not a Nazi salute,” while acknowledging his criticisms of Musk’s past actions on social media.

Some users pointed out Musk’s recent visit to Auschwitz and Israel to learn about the Holocaust and Jewish history, arguing that any attempt to portray him as a Nazi was misleading.

The Online Reaction

Musk’s supporters and critics clashed online, with some sharing images of former leaders like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton making similar gestures in the past. Musk himself posted clips from his speech on his social media platform X, captioning it, “The future is so exciting.”

Context Matters

The debate over Musk’s gesture comes as he continues to draw criticism for his political affiliations. Recently, Musk expressed support for Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right, anti-immigration party labeled as extremist by German authorities.

The incident has reignited discussions on Musk’s influence and actions, with some calling for accountability while others dismiss the gesture as overanalyzed enthusiasm.

Tags:
Elon Musk controversy, Trump rally speech, viral gesture debate, Nazi salute accusations, Alternative for Germany support, political affiliations, online backlash.