Elon Musk Responds to Backlash Over Controversial Straight-Arm Salute Clip

Elon Musk Responds to Backlash Over Controversial Straight-Arm Salute Clip

Elon Musk was seen elated after Donald Trump’s presidency, fist-bumping and “Yes!” yelling at a Washington rally in Capitol One Arena, but his further gesture during a speech made jaws drop and stirred confusion, eliciting whether he was just so excited or getting into something potentially more sinister.

My talk today at the Presidential Parade
pic.twitter.com/qCAxYQb7LN
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025

After congratulating the audience, Musk patted his chest, pointing diagonally out with his right arm, palm down. He turned around and did the same thing, saying, “My heart goes out to you.” The fast-motion salute caught CNN anchors’ eyes. Even Erin Burnett said that the move was unusual in American political rallies.

Social media was filled with confusion and speculation. Some compared it to the Roman salute, while others immediately drew parallels with a Nazi salute. Musician Bill Madden joked that Musk’s gesture was similar to the “Sieg Heil” salute, even going so far as to say it would have scored a perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics.

History professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat described it as a “Nazi salute,” while Israeli newspaper Haaretz referred to it as a “Roman salute,” which could alarm Jews concerned about Musk’s ties to Trump’s circle. Right-wing figures celebrated the gesture, which further fueled the controversy, with Rolling Stone noting the buzz among neo-Nazis and extremists.

Politicians such as Rep. Jerry Nadler slammed the gesture as a “Heil Hitler salute,” which had no place in society. The other side argued in favor of Musk, even going as far as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), saying it was just an awkward movement and not a Nazi salute. Other academics and some others on social media said that it was a purely socially awkward movement.

Musk, who has Asperger’s syndrome, did not directly address the controversy but engaged with posts online, thanking the ADL and mocking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Musk also posted a video of his rally, highlighting the excitement for the future, though the debate over the gesture continues to stir tensions.