Tech billionaire Elon Musk has faced widespread backlash after making a controversial gesture at a rally for former President Donald Trump on Monday. Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump, was seen performing a salute that many onlookers compared to the infamous “Sieg Heil” salute used by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
The incident occurred during Musk’s appearance at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., where he expressed his gratitude to Trump’s supporters. As he addressed the crowd, Musk placed his right hand over his heart twice before extending his arm in an upward motion, a move that sparked immediate outrage on social media platforms.
Noga Tarnopolsky, a journalist, shared her disapproval on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing, “#Breaking: Senior Trump administration official Elon Musk thanks supporters with a Nazi salute.” The comment quickly gained attention, with others pointing out the similarities between Musk’s gesture and the historical Nazi salute. One user posted a video of the moment and remarked, “That’s pretty clear,” further fueling the debate.
Author Dolores Quintana also weighed in, stating, “Hey look. A Nazi does the Sieg Heil openly at the US Inauguration. Elon Musk, everyone! The weirdest part is that he’s still really angry.” The comments sparked heated conversations about Musk’s actions, with many expressing disbelief and disgust.
Despite the online uproar, Musk has yet to respond to the criticism. The incident has reignited a conversation about the potential dangers of public figures using gestures that may be seen as endorsing harmful ideologies, leading to calls for a more careful approach to public conduct.
