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Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) strongly criticized Elon Musk on Monday for making “what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute” during an event celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration. The incident occurred at the Capital One Arena in Washington, where Musk addressed the audience as part of the festivities marking Trump’s return to office.
Nadler expressed his outrage on X, posting: “I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal. This abhorrent gesture has no place in our society and belongs in the darkest chapters of human history. I urge my colleagues to unite in condemning this hateful gesture as antisemitism.”
The gesture in question involved Musk grabbing the left side of his chest with his right hand and extending his arm across his chest, repeating the motion while addressing the crowd.
Critics, including MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, labeled it a Nazi salute, calling it a deliberate and offensive act. Ben-Ghiat described it as "a very belligerent gesture" linked to fascism.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) took a more measured stance, calling the gesture “an awkward moment” and urging the public to extend Musk “a bit of grace.” The ADL acknowledged heightened tensions in today’s political climate but suggested the gesture was not a Nazi salute.
Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has been under scrutiny recently for his alignment with far-right European parties, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD).
During his speech, Musk thanked the crowd for supporting Trump and stated, “My heart goes out to you. It’s thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.” Musk’s defenders argued the gesture was a clumsy attempt to convey heartfelt gratitude, not a deliberate salute.
Media outlets and public figures have reacted strongly. PBS News’s Newshour described the gesture as a “fascist salute,” drawing criticism from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
Greene accused PBS of spreading propaganda and threatened to investigate its funding through her subcommittee, stating she would summon PBS representatives to justify their reporting.
This incident highlights the divisive atmosphere surrounding Trump’s return to office and the intense scrutiny of public figures involved in his administration.
