Elon Musk responds after hand gesture controversy
Elon Musk has taken to social media after he – twice – made gestures at a Trump rally which closely resembled a fascist-style salute.
Elon Musk has responded after he performed back-to-back hand gestures at a celebratory Trump rally that closely resembled a fascist-style salute.
The tech entrepreneur and member of President Trump’s inner circle made the gestures at an event in Washington DC attended by thousands of Republicans shortly after the inauguration.
“I just want to say thank you for making (Mr Trump’s election) happen,” the Tesla CEO and President’s so-called “first buddy”, told the crowd.
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The richest man on earth twice extended his arm out with his palm facing down.
“My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured,” he said.
The gesture resembled the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) description of the Nazi salute, which it defines as “raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down”.
Late on Monday, US time, Mr Musk tweeted about the incident.
But in typical bombastic style, he didn’t acknowledge what the gesture could have been interested as or that it may have offended many.
Nor did he apologise, even if it was a mistake.
“Frankly they need better dirty tricks,” he said on X.
“The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” he added with a snooze emoji.
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The Anti Defamation League (ADL) issued a statement prior to Mr Musk’s response giving the man running the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) the benefit of the doubt.
It took to X to call for “grace” in a “delicate moment”.
“It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people on edge,” the group wrote.
“In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”
Historian Aaron Astor also rebuffed accusations of Musk’s Nazi emulation.
“I have criticised Elon Musk many times for letting neo-Nazis pollute this platform,” he wrote on X, adding: “But this gesture is not a Nazi salute.”
“This is a socially awkward autistic man’s wave to the crowd where he says ‘my heart goes out to you.’”
Mr Musk announced in 2021 he had been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.
Democratic representative for New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was incensed by the ADL’s brushing aside of the gesture and said there was no question about Mr Musk’s intent in a post on X.
“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.”
But Rolling Stone had reported that the leader of neo-Nazi group, Blood Tribe, Christopher Polhaus has rejoiced in the gesture.
On social media site Telegram he wrote: “I don’t care if this was a mistake. I’m going to enjoy the tears over it.”
Mr Musk has been criticised in recent weeks for promoting and interviewing the leader of far right German political party Alternative for Deutschland, members of which have been fined for breaking the country’s anti-Nazi laws.
He has also been a vocal supporter of anti-Islam and far right British protester Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.
Yaxley-Lennon is currently in jail after he defamed a refugee. He was previously convicted of contempt of court after his action almost led to the collapse of a sex ring trial.
– with AFP.
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