Elon Musk Defends Controversial 'Nazi Salute', Says His Critics Need 'Better Dirty Tricks'

Elon Musk has hit back at his critics following a controversy over a gesture he made during the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, with some people comparing it to a Nazi salute.

According to an AFP report, Musk arrived on stage at the Capital One Arena, where Trump's supporters had gathered for a rally. After thanking the crowd for voting Trump into office for a second term, Musk tapped the left side of his chest with his right hand, then extended his arm with his palm open, repeating the gesture for the audience behind him.

Experts weigh in

Claire Aubin, a historian specialising in Nazism in the United States, suggested that Musk's gesture was a "sieg heil," or Nazi salute.

"My professional opinion is that you're all right, you should believe your eyes," Aubin wrote on X, agreeing with those who saw the gesture as a clear reference to Nazis.

However, Musk later responded on X, saying that his critics needed "better dirty tricks." "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired," he said.

Musk has also recently made several statements in support of Germany's far-right AfD party and the British anti-immigration party Reform UK.

Despite the controversy, the Anti-Defamation League, an organisation founded to fight anti-Semitism and which has criticised Musk in the past, came to his defence this time.

"It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute," the organisation said in a statement posted on X.

Another historian, Aaron Astor, also rejected the accusations of Musk emulating a Nazi salute.

"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.'"

Musk revealed in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.

One rally attendee told AFP that he believed Musk was making the gesture as a joke.

"He's very humorous, and he uses a lot of sarcasm. So when he did that on the stage, I don't think he meant it," said Brandon Galambos, a 29-year-old pastor and tech worker.