Nazi Salute? Elon Musk's gesture at Donald Trump rally sparks row

The world's richest person and the right-hand man of newly appointed US President Donald Trump has sparked a row over his hand gestures that many say resembled a Nazi salute. Musk, who was at an event celebrating US President Trump's inauguration at the Capital One Arena in Washington, made back-to-back hand gestures similar to "sieg heil," or a Nazi salute.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Elon Musk's controversial salute

Musk, who thanked the crowd for re-electing Trump to the White House, tapped the left side of his chest with his right hand and then extended his arm with his palm open.

¡°My heart goes out to you,¡± Musk said, striking himself on the chest again. ¡°It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. Thanks to you. We¡¯re gonna have safe cities, finally safe cities. Secure borders, sensible spending. Basic stuff. And we¡¯re gonna take ¡®Doge¡¯ to Mars.¡±

CREDIT: REUTERS

What experts say

Videos of his hand gestures have gone viral on social media, and many users, including historians, have called it a Nazi salute.

Remember when Democrats called MAGA rallies "Nazi rallies?"

President un-elect Elon Musk just did the Nazi Sieg Heil salute.

We were right.

Absolutely vile.pic.twitter.com/lg5xl2QpMM

¡ª Art Candee ?? (@ArtCandee) January 20, 2025

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University, said: ¡°Historian of fascism here. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too.¡±

Claire Aubin, a historian who specialises in Nazism within the United States, agreed Musk's gesture was a "sieg heil."

"My professional opinion is that you're all right, you should believe your eyes," Aubin posted on X.

What is Nazi salute

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which campaigns against antisemitism, in Germany between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi salute ¡°was often accompanied by chanting or shouting ¡®Heil Hitler¡¯ or ¡®Sieg Heil.¡¯¡±

While the Nazi salute is illegal in many countries, including Germany, the gesture has been appropriated by many far-right and white supremacist groups, including in the US.

Musk supports neo-Nazi AfD in Germany

The move also comes nearly two weeks after Musk expressed his support for Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right neo-Nazi political party.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Musk, who has been attacking liberal governments across Europe, had claimed that only AfD can save Germany.

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