During President Donald Trump’s inauguration celebrations, tech mogul Elon Musk made a one-armed gesture that has ignited widespread discussion and controversy. The incident occurred at the Capital One Arena, where Musk addressed supporters, expressing gratitude by placing his right hand over his heart and then extending his arm forward. He repeated this action for attendees seated behind him.

The gesture drew immediate comparisons to a Nazi salute on social media platforms. Claire Aubin, a historian focusing on Nazism in the United States, referred to the gesture as a “seig heil” (The Times) whereas the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism, interpreted the gesture differently. They stated, “It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge,” (Reuters). Musk, responded to the backlash on his social media platform, X, stating, “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.” (BBC)

International reactions have been mixed. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, when questioned about the gesture during the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasized the importance of context, stating, “We have the freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany… what we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme right positions.” (Reuters)

Adding to the discourse, Grimes, Musk’s former partner and mother of his three children, publicly distanced herself from the controversy. She declared, “I am not him. I will not make a statement every time he does something. I can only send love back into a world that is hurting.” (People) following the viral spread of the video.

Whether an awkward expression of enthusiasm or a symbol misunderstood, the incident raises questions about the responsibilities of public figures in shaping discourse and the power of historical symbols to evoke strong reactions.