WASHINGTON, USA — Billionaire Elon Musk has ignited backlash after responding to accusations that his gesture during President Donald Trump’s inaugural rally resembled a Nazi salute.
Musk, an adviser to the president and CEO of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), leaned into the controversy with a series of Nazi-themed puns on his social media platform.
In a series of posts on X, Musk joked about prominent Nazi figures, including Rudolf Hess, Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Göring, and Heinrich Himmler.
“Don’t say Hess to Nazi accusations!” Musk wrote, followed by, “Some people will Goebbels anything down!”
He capped the thread with, “Bet you did nazi that coming,” punctuating it with a laughter emoji.
Musk’s remarks followed criticism of his gesture during Trump’s rally at Washington’s Capital One Arena, where he appeared to raise his arm twice while thanking Trump supporters.
Critics alleged the movement bore a resemblance to the infamous Nazi salute.
Don’t say Hess to Nazi accusations!
Some people will Goebbels anything down!
Stop Gőring your enemies!
His pronouns would’ve been He/Himmler!
Bet you did nazi that coming 😂
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 23, 2025
Mixed Reactions to the Gesture
Supporters of Musk, including some users on X, dismissed the accusations, claiming the gesture was taken out of context or explained by his autism, which Musk has previously spoken about.
Musk himself mocked the controversy, agreeing with a post comparing his gesture to that of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, though Walz’s gesture differed significantly in form.
“My heart goes out to you,” Musk had said while making the gesture at the rally.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a statement urging critics to extend “a bit of grace” and “perhaps even the benefit of the doubt” to Musk.
However, the ADL’s response was met with pushback from some quarters, with detractors accusing the organisation of downplaying the incident.
Conservative Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also defended Musk, saying Thursday that people should “focus on facts, not outrage.”
Troubling Track Record
Musk’s latest remarks have reignited concerns over his use of X to amplify far-right narratives.
Since purchasing the platform in 2022, Musk has been criticised for allowing neo-Nazi accounts to proliferate and for promoting the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which posits that nonwhite immigrants are deliberately replacing white populations in Western countries.
His trolling posts on Thursday further fuelled the controversy, with critics accusing Musk of trivialising Nazi atrocities. “When I see the troll emoji, it’s like looking in the mirror,” Musk wrote in apparent self-mockery, doubling down on his remarks.
Broader Implications
Musk’s actions have drawn attention to the fine line between free speech and the amplification of hate speech on social media platforms.
While Musk maintains a loyal base of supporters, his conduct continues to polarise public opinion.
David Rothschild, a political analyst, commented, “This is not just a question of bad taste—it’s about the normalisation of language and imagery tied to one of history’s darkest chapters.”
The fallout from Musk’s comments underscores the heightened scrutiny surrounding public figures in the digital age and raises questions about accountability for those who control influential platforms.
As the controversy unfolds, it highlights the ongoing debate over billionaires’ responsibilities in public life and the power of social media to shape public discourse.
