Elon Musk has sparked controversy after he made gestures resembling fascist salutes at Donald Trump's inauguration rally. Musk, a major donor and adviser to Trump, thanked Trump supporters at Capital One Arena, then made a salute by placing his hand on his chest and extending his arm with his fingers joined and palm down - a gesture usually associated with the Nazi salute.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) later clarified that Musk's actions were likely an awkward gesture of enthusiasm rather than a deliberate Nazi salute, although it acknowledged the heightened political tensions. Social media users expressed shock, with some accusing Musk of making a "Heil Hitler" salute. Republican Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the ADL for downplaying the incident, and Musk responded by dismissing her criticism as "insane."
Musk's affiliation with the far-right has raised concerns, especially after he hosted Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right German party AGW, at X. Some far-right figures, including neo-Nazis, have praised Musk's actions. Despite the backlash, Musk did not clarify his intentions, but backed memes turning congratulations into jokes. | BGNES
