Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has long been a polarizing figure in the tech industry. Recently, his actions have sparked significant controversy, particularly concerning allegations of far-right affiliations and antisemitism. This article delves into Musk’s history with these allegations, focusing on a recent incident during President Donald Trump’s inauguration and the subsequent reactions from various individuals and organizations.
The Inauguration Incident
On January 20, 2025, during a rally celebrating President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Musk delivered a speech that concluded with a gesture interpreted by many as a Nazi salute. He placed his right hand over his heart and then extended his arm outward at an upward angle, palm down—a motion historically associated with fascist salutes. This act drew immediate criticism from political figures, historians, and the public. For instance, historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat described it as “a Nazi salute—and a very belligerent one too.”
Musk’s Response
In response to the backlash, Musk dismissed the accusations, stating on his platform X (formerly Twitter), “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.” He did not explicitly deny the gesture’s resemblance to a Nazi salute, leading to further debate about his intentions.
Reactions from Organizations and Public Figures
The incident elicited a wide range of responses:
- Anti-Defamation League (ADL): Initially, the ADL defended Musk, stating that he “made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.” However, former ADL national director Abraham Foxman disagreed, describing the gesture as a “Heil Hitler Nazi salute.”
- Far-Right Groups: Various white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups praised Musk’s gesture. Andrew Torba, founder of the far-right social media platform Gab, shared a clip of Musk’s gesture with the caption, “Incredible things are happening already lmao.”
- Political Figures: Democratic congressman Jerry Nadler criticized the gesture as antisemitic, while Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene defended Musk, accusing news outlets of lying about him.
Historical Context and Previous Allegations
This incident is not the first time Musk has faced allegations related to far-right affiliations:
- Support for Far-Right Parties: Musk has publicly endorsed Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, encouraging pride in German culture and suggesting moving beyond the guilt of the Nazi past. This endorsement raised concerns among Jewish leaders about the potential emboldening of right-wing extremism.
- Social Media Activity: Under Musk’s ownership, the platform X has reinstated accounts previously banned for extremism, including those belonging to neo-Nazis. Studies have shown a significant increase in antisemitic content on the platform following these actions.
Public Backlash and Consequences
The controversy surrounding Musk’s gesture has led to tangible repercussions:
- Media and Public Criticism: Musk’s actions have been widely criticized in the media and by the public, with many expressing concern over the normalization of extremist symbols and rhetoric.
- Corporate and Political Fallout: Musk’s associations with far-right figures and movements have led to calls for boycotts of his companies and products, as well as increased scrutiny of his political activities.
Elon Musk’s recent actions have intensified debates about his affiliations and the influence of prominent figures on political discourse. While Musk dismisses the criticisms as politicized attacks, the incident underscores the importance of accountability and the impact of public gestures, intentional or not, in shaping societal narratives.
