Elon Musk’s Salute Sparks Criticism From Foreign Leaders And Democrats

21 Jan 2025 by Conor Murray · Forbes

Topline

A gesture billionaire Elon Musk performed at President Donald Trump’s inauguration has sparked a divided response from politicians and viewers, with several European officials and Democratic members of Congress accusing Musk of performing a Nazi salute—while Musk has slammed the Nazi comparisons as “dirty tricks.”

Musk raised his straightened right arm twice while speaking to the crowd at Trump's inaugural rally ... [+] Monday. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images

Key Facts

During a speech at a Trump inaugural event Monday, Musk pounded his fist to his chest and extended his right arm into the air twice before saying, “My heart goes out to you.”

German chancellor Olaf Scholz—who last week slammed Musk’s support for European far-right parties—said at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday Musk has the right to free speech, but “what we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme right positions,” after a reporter asked Scholz about Musk’s gesture, though he did not directly address his gesture or clarify whether he felt it was a Nazi salute.

Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s minister of labor and social economy, announced she would quit X after “the entire world witnessed Elon Musk mimicking a Nazi salute during Donald Trump’s inauguration,” while German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said in a tweet Musk’s gesture “must worry every democrat.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said Musk made a “Heil Hitler salute” that was “performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity,” while Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., called it an “abhorrent gesture.”

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a New York University professor who specializes in fascism, called Musk’s gesture “a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too.”

Musk has only alluded to the controversy in posts on X: He has not explained what he meant by the gesture, but accused Democrats of playing "dirty tricks” and said “the ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” while slamming Scholz as “Oaf Schitz” and stating Ocasio-Cortez “100% lost her marbles.”

The Anti-Defamation League, a non-governmental organization that combats antisemitism, defended Musk in a post on X, stating Musk made an “awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute,” urging both sides to “give one another a bit of grace.”

Contra

Beyond the ADL, some defenders of Musk claimed his gesture’s resemblance to a Nazi salute was accidental. Journalist Batya Ungar-Sargon said on X the gesture appeared to be “a man with Aspergers exuberantly throwing his heart to the crowd,” accusing critics of “inventing outrage.” Conservative media personality Charlie Kirk said Musk “says his heart goes out to the patriots,” so he “pounds his chest and waves at the crowd,” alleging critics are “thirsty for controversy and racism.”

Chief Critics

Ocasio-Cortez, who slammed Musk’s gesture, also criticized the ADL, accusing the organization of “defending a Heil Hitler salute” and urged people to stop listening to the organization as “any sort of reputable source of information.”

What Is A “sieg Heil” Salute?

The “Sieg Heil” salute, performed by extending a straightened right arm, was used as a greeting in Nazi Germany. “Sieg Heil” is a Nazi slogan which translates to “hail victory.” The salute was previously adopted by Italy’s National Fascist Party under Benito Mussolini, and it is thought to have roots in ancient Rome. Use of the Nazi salute is illegal in Germany and Austria, and the salute can be prosecuted as hate speech in some other European countries.

Forbes Valuation

Musk is worth an estimated $426.7 billion as of Tuesday, making him the richest person in the world ahead of Jeff Bezos by a margin of about $185 billion. Musk is the cofounder of several companies and owns a 12% stake in Tesla and 42% stake in SpaceX. Musk became increasingly political and vocal in right-wing politics after his 2022 takeover of Twitter, which he rebranded to X, and emerged as a key Trump ally. He donated over $200 million to help Trump get elected, and he leads the newly founded Department of Government Efficiency.