‘Dirty tactics’: Elon Musk dismisses ‘Nazi salute’ claims [video]

Elon Musk has refuted claims he performed a “Nazi salute” during his address following the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Monday, 20 January.

The South African-born businessman was accused of using a hand signal associated with German dictator Adolph Hitler.

ELON MUSK DENIES ‘NAZI SALUTE’

Speaking at the Capital One Arena in Washington following the presidential inauguration, Elon Musk thanked the crowd and Americans for voting to reelect Donald Trump.

He said: “This was a fork in the road of human civilisation. This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you.”

Elon then performed a hand gesture – by thumping his right hand on his chest before extending his arm at an upward angle with his palm down and fingers together – which many compared to a “Nazi salute.”

However, Elon later dismissed the claims from his X account.

The 53-year-old responded to an X account, @therabbithole84, which reposted an old tweet about the former’s decision to support Trump.

Elon Musk’s 2022 tweet read:  “In the past, I voted Democrat, because they were mostly the kindness party. But they have become the party of division and hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican.

“Now watch their dirty tactics campaign against me unfold.”

The X account added: “The salute hoax is just another part of the dirty tricks campaign.”

Elon Musk responded to the tweet, adding: “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks.  The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired”.

Frankly, they need better dirty tricks.

The “everyone is Hitler” attack is sooo tired 😴 https://t.co/9fIqS5mWA0

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025

WAS IT OR WASN’T IT?

Elon Musk’s hand gesture has certainly sparked a social media debate on if it was or wasn’t a “Nazi salute.”

The world’s richest man and X owner – who was born in Pretoria – has previously been accused of enabling anti-Semitic posts on the social media platform. However, last year he visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi German death camp in Poland, where he apologised for his “naivety.” 

Wait, did Musk just do a Nazi salute? pic.twitter.com/VZChlQXSYv

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 20, 2025

On social media, Elon Musk’s actions have divided opinions. While many claim that Elon attempted to emulate a Nazi salute, others chalked it down to the businessman’s autistic mannerisms.

Here’s what a few had to say….

Hey guys! Autistic person here! Just wanted to check in and let you know that “accidental” Nazi salutes are not a common autistic experience. pic.twitter.com/gDOV3Xe6An

— Sarah K (@fodderfigure) January 20, 2025

Elon Musk just last year traveled with Ben Shapiro to Auschwitz and then Israel to learn about the Holocaust and Jewish history.

Anyone trying to portray him as a Nazi is intentionally misleading the public. It was a stupid hand gesture, not an intentional Nazi salute. pic.twitter.com/rUOZ0HWHNR

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) January 20, 2025

I studied the Nazis at university, taught the history of Nazi Germany on two continents and wrote for major newspapers about Nazi Germany. I am internet famous for fact-checking chuds on the history, ideology and policy of Nazi Germany.

That was a Nazi salute.

— Mike Stuchbery 💀🍷 (@MikeStuchbery_) January 20, 2025

The Nazi salute does not involve placing the palm on the heart.

You could conclude that Elon tried to do the Nazi salute and failed to do it properly.

Or that he was excited, awkward, not thinking about how he looks, and trying to show his heart going out to the crowd.

Like he… pic.twitter.com/Csy9UpBR6B

— Kaizen D. Asiedu (@thatsKAIZEN) January 20, 2025

As a German, let me tell you how to distinguish a Nazi salute from a friendly wave:
– Look serious
– Arm straight, not the slightest bit bent
– Hand & arm form a single line
– 4 fingers together tightly
– Angle such that the hand is slightly higher than head#TrumpInauguration pic.twitter.com/9KC9Bb7LAt

— Judith Meyer (@GermanPolyglot) January 20, 2025

DO YOU THINK ELON MUSK PERFORMED A NAZI SALUTE?

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