Elon Musk appears to give ‘awkward’ salute during post-inauguration speech... twice

(Gray News) – Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, has stirred up controversy during a rally at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. after throwing up an odd salute that looked similar to the Sieg Heil Nazi salute to many viewers online.

After the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president Monday morning, the victory celebrations continued after the winning party moved to the arena for a rally featuring more speeches by members of Trump’s new administration.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors and head appointee of the newly created Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), had a chance to give a speech at the rally following the inauguration.

“Yes! This is what victory feels like,” he said. “And this was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization, OK. There are elections, some elections come and go, some elections are important, some are not. But this one, this … one really mattered. And I just want to say thank you for making it happen.”

Shortly after he began his speech and thanked all who attended for their support, Musk appeared to put his open hand across his chest before giving a passionate straight-arm salute to the rally attendees. This was followed by the same salute given to those sitting behind him.

The bizarre gesture has stirred debate online, with many supporters suggesting the action was innocent while critics claim the similarities between his salute and the Sieg Heil salute are too strong to dismiss.

“This behavior is unacceptable. Nobody even voted for this guy,” one commenter said under a YouTube video showing Musk’s speech.

“I’m so disgusted right now!!!” another comment reads. “This is gut-crushing!!! Because I used to respect Elon Musk, for everything he achieved!!! Now I feel completely betrayed!!! And I don’t care what sort of excuse he comes up with, because he did it twice, TWICE!!! This is the last type of publicity stunt Trump needed at his inauguration as president!!! Elon will HAVE to repent for this, because just apologizing isn’t gonna cut it!!!”

A commenter on X, formerly known as Twitter, said the gesture is not what it looks like and will be misinterpreted as the white supremacist salute by his detractors.

“Elon Musk was excited and spread his hand to the crowd,” the X commenter said. “Every leftist is going to try and characterize this as a Nazi salute.”

The Sieg Heil is a Nazi salute that was used in Nazi Germany to show reverence to Adolf Hitler, often accompanied by the words “Heil Hitler” or “Sieg Heil.” It consists of raising an outstretched right arm with the palm held down.

Many white supremacists and neo-Nazis around the world continue to use the salute, making it the most commonly recognizable white supremacist hand sign, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Despite the controversy, the ADL took to X to call the salute an “awkward” gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, but not a Nazi salute.

“In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath,“ the ADL said in part. ”This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”