‘Odd-looking’: Fury at Elon Musk’s controversial hand gesture

Elon Musk raised eyebrows after performing back-to-back hand gestures at a celebratory Trump rally.

Elon Musk raised eyebrows after performing back-to-back hand gestures at a celebratory Trump rally that closely resembled a fascist-style salute.

During a celebratory rally hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as America’s 47th President, the richest person on earth twice extended his arm out with his palm facing down.

“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 assembled at Washington DC’s Capitol One Arena.

With his right arm, he then pounded his chest and shot it upwards on a diagonal with his fingers together.

Mr Musk repeated the gesture – albeit with his arm and hand lowered slightly – to those behind him, in response to the crowd’s roars.

“My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured,” he said.

“Thanks to you. We’re gonna have safe cities, finally safe cities. Secure borders, sensible spending. Basic stuff. And we’re gonna take DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) to Mars.”

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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”.

The ADL 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.”

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

Mr Musk performed the questionable gesture twice. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

Mr Musk’s gesture did not escape the attention of social media users – or US TV anchors.

“Standing ovation for Elon Musk. By far the biggest reception of the day,” CNN’s Erin Burnett said during the network’s telecast.

“You saw him come out with that odd-looking salute.”

On X – the social media platform owned by Mr Musk – public health expert Eric Feigl-Ding wrote: “My God … Musk just did the N*zi salute live on TV.”

Another X user described the gesture as “absolutely vile”.

Democratic representative for New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, asserted 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.”

Mr Musk during inauguration ceremonies in the US Capitol Rotunda. Picture: Kevin Lamarque/Pool/Getty Images

Israeli newspaper Haaretz, meanwhile, described him as delivering “a Roman salute, a fascist salute most commonly associated with Nazi Germany”.

While Rolling Stone reported that the leader of neo-Nazi group, Blood Tribe, Christopher Polhaus, wrote on Telegram: “I don’t care if this was a mistake. I’m going to enjoy the tears over it.”

Mr Musk has not moved to clarify the gesture, but did retweet footage on X of his remarks, including the second salute.