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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) issued a sharp rebuke against Elon Musk on Tuesday after he made a controversial gesture during a presidential event. Speaking to her followers on Instagram, Ocasio-Cortez reiterated a fundamental principle of American values: “We hate Nazis.”
The controversy erupted after Musk, during a celebration of former President Donald Trump’s inauguration, made an arm gesture twice that resembled the Roman salute used by the Nazis.
While Musk and his Republican allies dismissed the comparisons, calling the claims baseless and “sooo tired,” Ocasio-Cortez made it clear she was not convinced.
“This is the United States of America,” she said. “And I don’t care what Elon Musk is doing behind a presidential seal. In this country, we hate Nazis. Kind of like a foundational, defining thing.”
She continued, emphasizing America’s historic fights against oppression. “Two of the most foundational, defining things about American history are that we beat the Confederates and we beat the Nazis. I don’t know what side people may be on today, but I still am not rocking with anyone sympathetic to Nazis. And I will do that until I am six feet in the ground.”
Ocasio-Cortez also called out the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for its defense of Musk. The ADL had described the gesture as an “awkward moment of enthusiasm,” dismissing claims it was a Nazi salute but acknowledging heightened sensitivities.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Ocasio-Cortez rejected the explanation outright. “Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity,” she wrote.
“People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all.”
The incident has reignited debates around the normalization of hate symbols and rhetoric in political discourse. Ocasio-Cortez argued that defending such gestures undermines the fight against fascism and antisemitism, adding that actions like Musk’s contribute to a dangerous erosion of historical accountability.
“This isn’t just a political disagreement,” she said. “It’s about our identity as a nation. The United States has always stood against fascism and hate, and there’s no room to equivocate on that.”
Ocasio-Cortez concluded by urging Americans to reject attempts to rewrite history. “When people downplay or justify actions like this, they’re attempting to normalize hate and division. We have to stand up and make it clear: there’s no place for Nazis or those who sympathize with them in this country.”
The ongoing controversy has spotlighted the cultural and political tensions surrounding historical memory, public accountability, and the role of influential figures like Musk in shaping societal norms. For Ocasio-Cortez, the issue is not just symbolic but central to preserving the values of democracy and justice.
