Elon Musk sparked widespread controversy during a recent Donald Trump meeting in Washington, D.C., when he performed a gesture that many interpreted as a Nazi salute. The incident occured on Monday at the Capital One Arena, where Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, delivered a speech thanking the crowd for supporting Trump’s return to the White House.
After his remarks, Musk tapped his left chest with his right hand, extended his arm with an open palm, and repeated the gesture while turning to address the rest of the crowd. The move instantly ignited debate, with some labeling it as a “fascist” or “Nazi” salute, while others dismissed it as a clumsy or misunderstood gesture.
publications like Haaretz and The Guardian described the gesture as “fascist-style,” while Wired noted that far-right figures celebrated the moment. Columnist Evan Kilgore called it “amazing,” further fueling the controversy.
Democratic Congressman Jimmy Gomez took to X to express his dismay, stating, “Well, it didn’t take long.” Former Democratic official Cori Bush added, “It seemed like he had been holding it inside for a while and was finally able to let it go.” She quipped, “As if he had practiced in front of the mirror to find the exact angle.”
Historians also weighed in.Claire Aubin,a specialist in Nazism in the U.S., wrote, “My professional opinion is that you are all right.” Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an expert on fascism, agreed, stating, “It was indeed a Nazi salute, and one that was very aggressive at that.”
Musk, known for his active presence on X, has yet to comment on the incident.
| Key Points | Details |
|—————-|————-|
| Event | Donald Trump meeting at Capital one Arena |
| Gesture | Extended arm with open palm, repeated twice |
| Reactions | Described as “fascist” or “Nazi” salute by some; defended as clumsy by others |
| experts | Historians Claire Aubin and Ruth Ben-Ghiat interpreted it as a Nazi salute |
| Public Figures | Jimmy Gomez and Cori Bush criticized the gesture on X |
The incident has reignited discussions about Musk’s public persona and the implications of his actions. As debates continue,the world awaits Musk’s response to the growing scrutiny.
Headline:
Gesturing Toward Controversy: An Interview with Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Elon Musk’s inauguration Salute
Introduction:
Elon Musk’s recent gesture at a Donald Trump inauguration event has sparked intense debate and comparisons to fascist salutes. to shed light on theHistorical context and implications of this gesture, we invited Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an expert on fascism, to speak with our Senior editor.
Senior Editor (SE): Ruth, thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right in. Elon Musk’s gesture has been widely interpreted as a Nazi salute. In your expert opinion, is this a fair interpretation?
Ruth Ben-Ghiat (RB): Thank you for having me. Indeed, the gesture Musk made—an extended arm with an open palm, repeated twice—is very reminiscent of the infamous Nazi salute. While we can’t definitively know Musk’s intentions, historically, this gesture has been associated with fascist regimes. So, it’s not surprising that many people picked up on those echoes.
SE: Some have dismissed it as a clumsy or misunderstood gesture. How would you respond to those who suggest it’s not a big deal?
RB: I understand the desire to give Musk the benefit of the doubt, but it’s important to consider the ancient backdrop and the power of symbols. This gesture has a dark history, and using it, even if unintentionally, can still cause harm. As spikes in hate crimes and the rise of far-right ideologies show, these symbols don’t exist in a vacuum. they have real-world consequences.
SE: You mentioned the historical context. Can you elaborate on how this gesture has been used historically?
RB: Sure. The extended arm salute with an open palm became popular in Italy with Mussolini’s fascist party. Hitler later adopted this gesture, which became deeply associated with Nazi ideology. It was used to greet and show allegiance to these regimes. After World War II, this salute fell out of favor in Europe, but it has been adopted by neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups.
SE: Musk hasn’t commented on the incident yet. Do you think he should address it?
RB: I believe it would be wise for Musk to address this. His actions have implications beyond just himself. They can influence how people perceive his companies and his power. By not addressing the gesture,he’s allowing its interpretation to remain open,which can be harmful. A straightforward explanation about his intentions or a clear condemnation of any potential misinterpretation would be helpful.
SE: The incident has also reignited discussions about Musk’s public persona. How do you think this gesture reflects on his persona, if at all?
RB: It adds another layer to the complexities of Musk’s public image. He’s been criticized before for his sometimes divisive comments and actions.This gesture further highlights the need for public figures like him to be mindful of the symbols they use and the potential interpretations of their actions.
SE: Ruth, thank you for your insightful comments. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
RB: Thank you for having me.
