Why Did Elon Musk Make the Straigh-Arm Salute at Trump’s Inauguration?
Half the world watched live as an extraordinary moment unfolded during the presidential ceremony
Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has sparked a massive controversy during Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration. At the event, Musk made a straight-arm gesture on a couple of occasions that many interpreted as a fascist salute.
During his speech at the ceremonial event, the magnate and billionaire, who has faced widespread criticism on social media for his involvement in certain elections and his controversial remarks about world leaders—some of whom he has openly wished would face a military coup—chose a questionable physical expression. He placed his right hand over his heart and then extended his arm forward with an open palm in a motion reminiscent of a Sieg Heil salute.
Elon Musk just did this salute on live national TV. pic.twitter.com/lP22iRxNoT
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) January 20, 2025
The incident has ignited a heated debate online, dividing opinions between critics and defenders (of which there are a few). Some argue the gesture has been misinterpreted, while others insist that the United States should not condone such actions under any circumstances.
The gesture took place while Musk was in the VIP section alongside other prominent figures from the business and political worlds. Although the motion was brief, television cameras captured it, and the footage quickly spread, fueling the controversy.
Why Might Elon Musk Have Made the Nazi Salute?
Elon Musk has been involved in various actions and statements that reflect his support for far-right parties and the dissemination of anti-immigration opinions.
In December 2024, Musk expressed his backing for Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right German party Alternative for Germany (AfD), stating on his platform X that «only the AfD can save Germany.» This support generated criticism from German political leaders, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called it «completely unacceptable.»
BREAKING: Elon Musk says a «civil war is inevitable» in the United Kingdom amid mass migration. pic.twitter.com/MebPVBHE3A
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) August 4, 2024
Musk has used his platform to share opinions opposing immigration. For instance, in response to riots in the United Kingdom related to immigration, Musk remarked that «civil war is inevitable,» suggesting that mass migration and open borders are destabilizing factors.
Furthermore, the entrepreneur has shown support for figures like Tommy Robinson, a British activist known for his extremist and anti-immigration views. He has also interacted with and backed leaders of far-right parties in Europe, increasing his involvement in global politics with a tilt toward far-right ideologies.
Elon Musk’s Polarizing Legacy
Elon Musk is one of the most influential and controversial businessmen of our time. Born in South Africa in 1971, Musk moved to the United States to attend the University of Pennsylvania, earning degrees in physics and economics. He is known for founding and leading several innovative companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, The Boring Company, and X, one of his more recent acquisitions.
Musk has remained a polarizing figure due to his provocative statements and unconventional leadership style. Despite criticism, he has cemented his reputation as one of the most renowned entrepreneurs of his generation.
A Nation in Shock
Hours after an event that more than half the world witnessed live, people are struggling to understand how a public and political figure could make such a gesture at one of the most ceremonial events of a democracy that fought against Nazism in the 20th century.
Millions of lives, many of them American, were lost to the evils of Nazism—a regime that was ultimately defeated through the combined efforts of the Soviet Red Army and the U.S. military.