Musk’s gesture during Trump’s inauguration draws attention, according to Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Billionaire Elon Musk’s hand gesture during President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech drew comparisons online on Monday to a Nazi salute, but a leading proponent of anti-Semitism said it appeared to represent enthusiasm instead.
Musk dismissed criticism of the gesture as a “tired” attack.
Musk took it Capital one (NYSE: ) arena in Washington to cheers, clapping hands and shouting “Yessss.”
“This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road to human civilization,” he said. “This was very important. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you,” he said.
He bit his lower lip, put his right hand over his heart, fingers spread wide, then extended his right hand, emphatically, angled upwards, palm down and fingers together. Then he turned and made the same gesture to the people behind him.
“My heart goes out to you. It’s thanks to you that the future of my civilization is secured,” he said as he finished his gesture.
Gestures are quickly analyzed online.
“Was Elon Musk Sig Heil at Trump’s Inauguration?” asked the Jerusalem Post.
The Anti-Defamation League, which monitors anti-Semitism, disagreed.
“Looks like @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of excitement, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate people being on edge,” he posted on Monday.
“Honestly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is tired,” Musk said late Monday on his social media account, X.
Shortly after the speech, Musk released a Fox video clip of parts of his speech at X, which cut from the stage as he made his first gesture while looking at the cameras. “The future is very exciting,” he wrote above.
A spokeswoman for Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Some X users came to Musk’s defense, with Musk saying “my heart goes out to you” and criticizing posts to the contrary.
Musk has backed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), an anti-immigration, anti-Islam party classified as far-right by German security services, in the upcoming national election. Earlier this month, he hosted a broadcast on social media with the party leader.