Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stirred controversy by allegedly performing the “Sieg Hail” or “Nazi Salute” during the inauguration parade of the new US president, Donald Trump, at the Capital One Arena in Washington on Monday.
The SpaceX CEO was delivering an address before Trump’s scheduled appearance at the arena for the inaugural parade. During the event, Elon Musk, while expressing his gratitude to the Republican supporters, went on to slap his right hand to his chest before shooting out his right arm in an upward diagonal position with his hands facing downwards.
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“This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization… This one really matters. I just want to say thank you for making it happen. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you. My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured,” Elon Musk said as he banged his chest and outstretched his arm.
He then continued, “Thanks to you. We’re going to have safe cities—finally safe cities. Secure borders, sensible spending. Basic stuff. And we’re going to take ‘Doge’ to Mars.”
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However, this act of enthusiasm by Elon Musk captured the internet’s attention and made users wonder if he intentionally performed a Nazi salute. This gesture of the Tesla CEO sparked polarized reactions, with critics and defenders clashing over its intent.
While some believe that its an absolute Nazi salute, other netizens also claimed that its just his way of expressing gratitude. One user wrote, “Elon just did a full Nazi salute, can’t help himself.”
Elon just did a full Nazi salute, can’t help himself pic.twitter.com/aw0rHqP1Yv
— OPS+ is for Commies (@BillMoo23535153) January 20, 2025
However, other users claim that it wasn’t a Nazi Salute and just the way of expressing gratitude. This user wrote, “The Fake News and their minions are trying to say that Elon Musk did a “Nazi Salute” at Capital One Arena. They removed the audio of Elon saying thank you, and he concludes by saying “my heart goes out to you.”It wasn’t a Nazi Salute. He was saying thank you.”
The Fake News and their minions are trying to say that Elon Musk did a “Nazi Salute” at Capital One Arena.
They removed the audio of Elon saying thank you, and he concludes by saying “my heart goes out to you.”
It wasn’t a Nazi Salute. He was saying thank you. This is why you… pic.twitter.com/LelctagwMD
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) January 20, 2025
Another user wrote, “This 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. These people are so thirsty for controversy and racism—that doesn’t exist—it’s astounding.”
This 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.
CNN: Musk just gave a Nazi salute!!
These people are so thirsty for controversy and racism—that doesn’t exist—it’s astounding. https://t.co/iR6T6fdsDm
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 20, 2025
Another X user came up with an interesting analysis to prove that Musk’s gesture was not a Nazi salute. This tweet reads, “The Nazi salute does not involve placing the palm on the heart. You could conclude that Elon tried to do the Nazi salute and failed to do it properly. Or that he was excited, awkward, not thinking about how he looks, and trying to show his heart going out to the crowd.”
The Nazi salute does not involve placing the palm on the heart.
You could conclude that Elon tried to do the Nazi salute and failed to do it properly.
Or that he was excited, awkward, not thinking about how he looks, and trying to show his heart going out to the crowd.
— Kaizen D. Asiedu (@thatsKAIZEN) January 20, 2025
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20, and Musk is considered his confidant after playing a crucial role in helping the 78-year-old win the 2024 US election. Trump has also appointed Musk as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an effort to cut costs in the federal government.
