Elon Musk makes a fuss, makes a Nazi salute
21/01/2025
The hand gesture by Musk sparked criticism from many quarters.- Agency Photo
WASHINGTON: Controversial billionaire Elon Musk has been criticized by many for making a hand gesture that resembles a Nazi salute during his speech at the swearing-in ceremony of the new President of the United States, Donald Trump on Monday.
In his speech, Musk praised the results of the US Presidential Election on November 4 as an 'extraordinary victory'.
"This is a crossroads in human civilization. It's a very important moment and thank you for making it a success," he said at the Capital One Arena in Washington. Musk then placed his right hand on his chest before making the Nazi salute.
He then repeated the same act several times.
Musk's action, however, triggered various reactions from netizens and some claimed that it was clearly a salute that Nazi Germany's leader, Adolf Hitler, was used to.
Israeli media outlets also acknowledged that he was a fascist salute synonymous with the Nazis.
Over the past few weeks, Musk is said to have shifted support to the right-wing faction since he became a close ally of Trump.
In early January, the owner of platform X also held an interview with right-wing leader Alice Weidel, who leads Alternative for Germany after supporting her party to contest elections in Berlin next month.
Under the Trump 2.0 administration, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). - Agency
