Quotes
Historian of fascism here. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too.”
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University, said
Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity."
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasted the ADL's reaction, saying on X
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 workerMy professional opinion is that you're all right, you should believe your eyes,
Aubin posted on X, aligning with those who found the gesture was an overt reference to NazisI have criticized Elon Musk many times for letting neo-Nazis pollute this platform, ... But this gesture is not a Nazi salute."
he wrote on X, addingIt’s not something you typically see at American political rallies,
Hunt continued
That salute was evocative of things we’ve seen through history,
Hunt saidUS billionaire Elon Musk appeared to make a Heil Hitler salute at the Washington DC Trump parade on Monday, following Trump's inauguration."
The Jerusalem post wroteIn this moment, all sides should give each one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt and take a breath,
the statement saidThis is just ridiculous. Elon Musk says his heart goes out to the patriots in Capital One Arena, so he pounds his chest and waves at the crowd.” ... The Nazi salute does not involve placing a palm on the heart. You could conclude that Elon tried to do the Nazi salute and failed to do it properly. Or he was excited, awkward, not thinking about how he looks, and trying to show his heart going out to the crowd, as he says in the full clip.”
A third expressed ... A fourth commented
Elon Musk is saying ‘my heart goes out to you.’ He is not using the Nazi salute.” ... I can confidently say that every single person currently claiming that Elon Musk gave a Nazi salute is stupid and should not be taken seriously ever again.”
An individual wrote ... Another addedSorry, little X just followed me on the stage here. He’s a very enthusiastic supporter, as you can see,
he saidAs a person with a *strong* track record of criticizing Elon Musk, I feel extremely confident asserting that this was not a Nazi salute. Elon Musk is a friend to the Jews. This is a man with Aspergers exuberantly throwing his heart to the crowd. We don't need to invent outrage,
said Newsweek opinion editor Batya Ungar-Sargon
Our new co-president Elon Musk gives a Nazi salute on day one of Trump presidency,
said Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett
It was quick. Our viewers are smart, and they can take a look at that. But it certainly was ― it’s not something you typically see in an American political rally, let’s put it that way,
Burnett said
This is what victory feels like,
he said, slamming his fists into a lectern with the presidential seal on it.jpg)
My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. We’re going to have safe cities, secure borders, sensible spending, basic stuff, and we’re going to take DOGE to Mars
Musk added, referring to a proposed Department of Government Efficiency he is expected to co-leadThis is what victory feels like.” ... This was no ordinary victory; this was a fork in the road of human civilization,
During his address at the post-ceremony rally in Washington, DC, Musk said ... he added as he banged his chest and outstretched his armElections come and go, some are important and some are not, but this one really mattered, and I just want to say thank you for making it happen,
Musk declaredWait, did Musk just do a Nazi salute?” ... And the Trump presidency begins with the richest person in the world giving a Nazi salute.”
The Republicans against Trump X page shared a clip of Musk's gesture, writing ... Another user shared a photo of the controversial move with the tweet