Elon Musk’s Inauguration Gesture: A Disgraceful Act of Gaslighting and Dangerous Symbolism

Elon Musk has once again found himself at the center of controversy—this time for a gesture that has sparked outrage across the globe. During President Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities on January 20, 2025, Musk made a hand gesture that many have interpreted as a Nazi salute. The act, which he repeated with his back to the camera, has been widely condemned and celebrated by extremist groups, highlighting the dangerous influence Musk continues to wield.

Despite the uproar, Musk took to his social media platform, X, to dismiss the criticism as “tired” and unoriginal. This response is nothing short of gaslighting—an attempt to downplay and discredit legitimate concerns by labeling them as overreactions. But the public isn’t buying it. This is not just a case of “misinterpretation,” as Musk would have his followers believe. The reality is that symbols carry weight, and his actions have dangerous implications.

Why This Matters

The Nazi salute is not just another hand gesture. It carries with it the weight of millions of lives lost and a painful legacy of genocide, oppression, and hate. Across Europe, including countries like Germany and Austria, performing such gestures is illegal, with strict laws in place to prevent the spread of hateful ideologies. Had Musk made this gesture in those countries, he could have faced arrest and prosecution.

This raises the question: why should such an action be tolerated in the United States? Just because it’s not explicitly illegal doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. Musk’s ability to brush off criticism only highlights how far the normalization of extremist rhetoric has come.

Enabling Extremism

Musk’s influence extends far beyond his ventures in technology and business. His endorsement of far-right figures, including UK activist Tommy Robinson and Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has emboldened extremist groups worldwide. This latest incident is being celebrated in neo-Nazi circles, reinforcing their dangerous beliefs and lending credibility to their causes.

By making such gestures and refusing accountability, Musk sends a clear message to these groups: their ideology is welcome in his orbit. This is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a troubling pattern of behavior that should not be ignored.

A Call for Accountability

Musk’s actions are a disgrace, not just to his personal reputation but to the principles of democracy and respect that America strives to uphold. The ease with which he attempts to gaslight the public into believing this was a harmless joke or a hoax is an insult to history and to those who continue to fight against hate and extremism today.

It is crucial that public figures like Musk are held accountable for their actions. Silence and indifference only allow hate to thrive. We must remain vigilant and vocal in condemning such behavior, ensuring that gestures rooted in oppression and violence have no place in our society.

In the words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.” Let’s not be neutral. Let’s stand against the normalization of hate—whether it comes from a politician, a billionaire, or anyone else.

Brandy W. Walt-Rose, Political Advocate

Humane Party