Elon Musk Reacted To People Accusing Him Of Doing A Nazi Salute At A Rally After Trump's Inauguration

    AOC called the moment "a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity."

    Natasha Jokic
    by Natasha Jokic

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Elon Musk is facing criticism for his salute at the rally following the inauguration of Donald Trump.

    A man stands at a podium with a presidential seal, arms raised triumphantly, wearing a suit and tie, in front of a blue backdrop with white stars
    Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

    The richest man on earth took to the stage at the Capital One Arena in DC and began his speech by saying, "Thank you for making it happen."

    View this video on YouTube
    The Telegraph / Via youtube.com

    He then slapped his right hand on his chest before extending it in a salute. He later repeated the salute in the rally.

    A person at a podium in a suit gestures upward, with a backdrop filled with stars
    Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images

    Backlash likening the salute to Hitler emerged swiftly:

    Hi!

    Holocaust historian here. Let me see if I can help. That wasn't a "weird salute." It was a Hitler salute. Because Elon is a fucking Nazi.

    Hope that helps! https://t.co/T6L9PonwQr

    —  Dr. Waitman W. Beorn (waitmanwbeorn.com on 🟦) (@waitmanb) January 20, 2025
    Twitter: @waitmanb

    I’m simultaneously told to believe this man’s a genius yet doesn’t understand what a Nazi salute is

    — gianmarco (@GianmarcoSoresi) January 20, 2025
    Twitter: @GianmarcoSoresi

    Now, I know what you're all thinking, but who hasn't accidentally done a Sieg Heil on their first day in government? https://t.co/b6H5fuA5O3

    — Jonathan Pie (@JonathanPieNews) January 20, 2025
    Twitter: @JonathanPieNews

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out the controversial Anti-Defamation League, which dubbed the moment an "awkward gesture." The representative wrote, "Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity."

    Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity.

    People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all. https://t.co/0gLdMCU3UV

    — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 21, 2025
    Twitter: @AOC

    Elon then shared a post calling the salute a "hoax," writing, "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
    Twitter: @elonmusk

    On the other side, Christopher Pohlhaus, leader of the neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe, shared the clip and wrote, “I don’t care if this was a mistake. I’m going to enjoy the tears over it.” The founder of far-right social network Gab, Andrew Torba, shared a picture of Musk doing the salute, adding, “Incredible things are happening already.”

    A person in a suit gestures to a cheering audience from a podium at an event. There's a lively crowd celebrating in the background
    Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

    Less than 24 hours in...