US billionaire Elon Musk appeared to make a Heil Hitler salute at the Washington DC Trump parade on Monday, following Trump's inauguration.
Musk was seen making the gesture twice on live television.
Elon Musk does what looks like a Hitler salute after talking of victory at Trump inauguration, thanking supporters for assuring "the future of civilisation" pic.twitter.com/xp0kmJ5dFQ
— James Jackson (@derJamesJackson) January 20, 2025
He then appeared on stage at the Capital One Area in front of 20,000 Trump supporters, where he thanked supporters before making the gesture.
#Breaking: Senior Trump administration official Elon Musk thanks supporters with a Nazi salute. pic.twitter.com/WzSZFUYvEG
— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) January 20, 2025
Social media users reacted with horror, with one writing, "Remember when Democrats called MAGA rallies "Nazi rallies?" President un-elect Elon Musk just did the Nazi Sieg Heil salute."
The ADL responded a few hours later with a statement on X: "This is a delicate moment."
"It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath."
Elon Musk responded to the tweet with "thanks" and a laughing emoji.
The legacy media is pure propaganda. You are the media now. https://t.co/lgkIbzcAZP
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025
Israeli activist and academic Shai Davidai wrote on Instagram "I don't care who you are, doing a Nazi salute is never ok."
"The issue isn’t whether or not you’re an antisemite," he continued. "The issue is whether or not you’re normalizing that which shouldn’t be normalized."
Many online neo-Nazi groups were seen celebrating the gesture.
The leader of the neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe, Christopher Pohlhaus, posted the clip with the words “I don’t care if this was a mistake. I’m going to enjoy the tears over it.”
Andrew Torba, founder of far-right Christian Nationalist social media platform Gab, said “Incredible things are happening already lmao.”
A White Lives Matter branch posted on Telegram, saying “Thanks for (sometimes) hearing us, Elon. The White Flame will rise again.”
However, other figures said Musk was making a "my heart goes out to you" gesture, and cited his Asperger's' syndrome (which Musk has claimed he has) as being a potential reason for the stiff and awkward gesture.
Mars space travel
The Tesla and Space X owner appeared excited by Trump's mention of Mars in his inaugural speech, given he has reportedly urged NASA to drop its plans to return to the moon and go straight to Mars, according to Politico.
President Donald Trump said the US would launch astronauts to plant the “stars and stripes” on Mars.
"We're gonna take DOGE to Mars!" said Musk in his speech, "Can you imagine how awesome it will be to have American astronauts plant the flag on another planet for the first time! How inspiring would that be?!"
This comes amid a Washington Post report that Donald Trump's government advisory panel, led by Elon Musk, will be sued soon after the incoming US president is sworn in on Monday.