Elon Musk accused of 'roman salute' at Donald Trump's inauguration event, what happened there

A video of Tesla CEO Elon Musk making a one-armed gesture during a speech at a Donald Trump rally on Monday has gone viral, igniting debate online. Some users compared the gesture to a Nazi salute, while others defended Musk, calling it an awkward moment of enthusiasm.

During his speech, Musk, a close ally of Trump, said, “This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization.” He then thumped his right hand over his heart and extended his arm outward at an upward angle, palm down, fingers together. Musk repeated the gesture toward the crowd, adding, “It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.”

DO NOT BELIEVE THE MEDIA

The media is misleading you. Elon Musk never did a Nazi salute. Watch the full video: He simply gestured and said, “Thank you, my heart goes out to you.” pic.twitter.com/e3vBaLoVqx

— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) January 20, 2025

According to reports, critics, including historians Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Claire Aubin, labeled the gesture as a “Nazi salute.” Aubin wrote on social media platform X, “My professional opinion is that you should believe your eyes.”

However, others dismissed the accusations. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) defended Musk, stating the gesture was “an awkward moment” rather than a Nazi salute. Historian Aaron Astor also supported Musk, writing, “This gesture is not a Nazi salute.”

Supporters highlighted Musk’s past efforts to learn about Jewish history, noting his visit to Auschwitz and Israel last year. One user wrote, “Anyone trying to portray him as a Nazi is misleading the public.”

Adding to the controversy, some pointed out Musk’s recent support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), an anti-immigration party labeled extremist in Germany. Despite the backlash, Musk appeared unfazed, sharing portions of his speech online and stating, “The future is so exciting.”