Elon Musk's controversial gesture sparks Nazi salute debate
Elon Musk caused a significant stir on social media after making a gesture twice during his speech at a rally at the Capital One Arena, which some perceived as resembling a Roman salute. Discussions using terms like "fascist" and "Nazi" emerged, although some defended him, labeling it as an "awkward gesture."
Historian Claire Aubin, a specialist in Nazism in the U.S., stated that Musk's gesture meant "sieg heil". Similarly, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an expert on fascism, described the gesture as an "aggressive Nazi salute". Publications like "Haaretz" and "The Guardian" also suggested that Musk performed a "fascist" salute.
Former Democratic Party congresswoman Cori Bush commented that Musk looked like he was practicing in front of a mirror. "Looks as if he’s been holding that in for a while and finally was able to let it rip. Like he practiced in the mirror to hit that angle just right.," Bush wrote on platform X.
Meanwhile, "Wired" magazine noted that the gesture was well-received by the far-right in the U.S. AFP reminds that in recent weeks, Musk has repeatedly expressed support for the German far-right party AfD and the British anti-immigration party Reform UK.
There are also defenders
One of the oldest and most important Jewish organizations in the world, the ADL, defended Musk, despite their previous conflicts with him. The organization clarified on X that Elon Musk's gesture seemed to be an awkward motion made in excitement, rather than a Nazi salute.
Historian Aaron Astor also defended Musk, claiming it was a "socially awkward hand gesture by an autistic man." "I have criticized Elon Musk many times for letting neo-Nazis pollute this platform. 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." he stated on X.
AFP notes that Musk announced in 2021 that he suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.
Source: PAP, X
