Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York was among those Monday to harshly criticize billionaire Elon Musk for doing a “Heil Hitler salute” during an event celebrating President Trump's inauguration. .
Nadler responded to a video of Musk's speech at Washington's Capital One Arena, saying, “I never imagined there would be a day when something like the Heil Hitler salute would be performed behind the presidential seal.'' ” he wrote in a post to X. Mr. Trump was sworn into office.
“This abhorrent act has no place in our society and belongs to the darkest chapter of human history,” he continued. “I appeal to all my colleagues to unite in condemning this hateful act of anti-Semitism.”
Nadler's voice was one of many condemning the cross salute the SpaceX and Tesla CEOs performed with their arms during speeches in Washington, D.C.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
Musk, the world's richest man and leader of the Trump administration's new Department of Government Efficiency, has raised eyebrows in recent weeks with his support for far-right European parties such as Alternative for Germany.
Speaking to a large audience on Monday, he thanked those in attendance for electing Trump in November. He then grabbed the left side of his chest with his right hand and stretched his arm straight across his chest from left to right. He turned and made the gesture again.
“My heart goes out to you,” Musk said after making the gesture. “And it is because of you that the future of civilization is guaranteed.”
Some people came to Musk's defense, pointing out that he made the gesture just before telling his audience that he was giving his heart to them, and claiming it was meant to remind them of that.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating anti-Semitism, described the moment as “troubling” and encouraged the public to “give it some pause” before jumping to conclusions.
“This is a delicate moment. It's a new day, but many people are nervous. Our politics are being incited and social media only adds to the anxiety,” the ADL said in a statement on its platform. At the same time as a rise in anti-Semitic comments, Trump also clashed with Musk over his policies regarding X.
“It appears that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm rather than a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are feeling tingly,” the ADL continued.
“At this moment, all parties should give each other a little grace, perhaps the benefit of the doubt, and take a breather,” the statement continued.
Some liberals online disagreed. MSNBC host Simone Sanders Townsend, a former top adviser to former Vice President Harris, pushed back against the ADL's proposal to grant a “respite.”
“What I would like everyone to be aware of is that the Nazis [sic] Look at Mr. Musk's gesture, I thought it was one of their salutes.But everyone from Tesla investors to elected officials to the ADL is offering to give him a reprieve, because it was probably just an awkward gesture.” Sanders-Townsend wrote about X.
Ruth Ben Guiat, a prominent scholar of authoritarianism, also said of X: “Here we have a historian of fascism. It was a Nazi salute, and it was also a very militant salute.”
Some media outlets have faced criticism for their coverage of this moment.
PBS News' “NewsHour” posted a clip of the video depicting the moment Musk gave “what appeared to be a fascist salute.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) responded by threatening PBS funding and saying she would call news program representatives before the subcommittee.
“As the Chairman of the DOGE Oversight Subcommittee, I want PBS @NewsHour to come to my committee and explain why it is a waste of taxpayer funds to lie and spread propaganda to serve Democrats and attack Republicans. I look forward to hearing from you soon to explain how it can be used effectively,” Green wrote to X.
