Elon Musk Sparks Controversy Over Gesture at Trump’s Inauguration Rally

Tech billionaire Elon Musk found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after a gesture he made during a speech at President Donald Trump’s inauguration rally drew comparisons to a Nazi salute. While Musk’s hand movement sparked immediate backlash online, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) defended him, dismissing the gesture as an “awkward moment of enthusiasm.”

During his speech at the Capital One Arena, Musk addressed a cheering MAGA crowd. However, it wasn’t his words that stunned observers but the gesture he made at the conclusion. PBS News reported that Musk “gave what appeared to be a fascist salute,” describing the gesture as placing his hand on his chest before raising it in a manner “similar to the ‘Sieg Heil’ used by Nazis.”

The ADL, which identifies the Nazi salute as “the most common white supremacist hand sign in the world,” acknowledged the concerns but called for understanding. “This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge,” the organization wrote on Musk’s X platform. “It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.

At this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace… Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.” Criticism of Musk and the ADL’s response poured in from multiple quarters. Civil rights attorney Joel Wertheimer, a former Obama administration official, dismissed the ADL’s defense as laughable.

“What a joke this org has become. Incredibly sad,” Wertheimer wrote on X. He further accused Musk of endorsing “some of the most vile antisemitism,” referencing Musk’s criticism of the ADL and his interactions with far-right groups.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) also weighed in, condemning both the gesture and the ADL’s reaction. “Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity,” she wrote. “People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now.”

Others, like essayist Sami Gold, questioned whether the ADL’s reaction would have been different under other circumstances. “Can you imagine their response if Rashida Tlaib did this?” Gold asked.

The controversy highlights deep political and social divides, with Musk’s gesture further fueling tensions in an already polarized environment. Whether a misunderstanding or an intentional act, the incident has reignited debates about accountability and symbolism in public life.