Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has sparked controversy following a gesture he made at a rally celebrating the inauguration of President Donald Trump in Washington. Musk appeared on stage at the Capitol One Arena, where he thanked the crowd for their support of the newly inaugurated president. Trump took the oath for his second term on January 20, 2025, during the event, where he vowed to make immediate changes on immigration policy.
Musk, who has reportedly donated around $200 million to Trump’s re-election campaign, was recently appointed the head of the new Department for Government Efficiency, a role that involves advising on significant reductions in government budgets and processes. While not officially part of the government, the department is expected to recommend changes aimed at streamlining operations.
During his speech, Musk made a gesture that involved tapping the left side of his chest with his right hand before extending his arm with an open palm. Some observers have compared this to a “Nazi salute,” a comparison that was quickly taken up by prominent figures. Claire Aubin, a historian of Nazism, called the gesture a “sieg heil,” while Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian of fascism, described it as “belligerent.”
The incident drew swift criticism from Democratic lawmakers, including Congressman Jimmy Gomez, who remarked, “Well, that didn’t take long.” Despite the backlash, Musk has yet to comment on the controversy.
Some rally attendees saw the gesture as part of Musk’s humorous style, while far-right commentators defended the act, with one calling it “incredible.” The Anti-Defamation League suggested that Musk’s gesture was simply an enthusiastic moment and not a Nazi reference, though Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized this defense. Some historians also argued that the gesture could simply reflect Musk’s awkwardness, possibly linked to his Asperger’s syndrome diagnosis.
