On the day Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the US, Elon Musk probably caused the biggest outrage on social media. Now the tech billionaire has responded to his message of love to Trump supporters, which was interpreted by quite a few people as a Nazi salute.
American historian Claire Aubin, who studies National Socialism in the US, wrote on the short-message platform “In my professional opinion they are fine,” she wrote, citing many users who felt the same way. Fascism researcher Ruth Ben-Ghiat also wrote on X that this was a “Nazi salute” – “and one that was quite aggressive.”
However, Musk was defended by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which campaigns against anti-Semitism. “Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in an enthusiastic moment, not a Nazi salute,” the ADL said on the online service X. The left-wing Democratic member of the House of Representatives, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was outraged by the ADL’s statements. . “People can officially stop turning to you as a credible source of information,” Ocasio-Cortez said on X.
Historian: ‘Awkward gesture by autistic man’
Historian Aaron Astor also did not consider Musk’s gesture a Nazi salute. “I have often criticized Elon Musk for allowing his platform to be poisoned by neo-Nazis,” Astor wrote on X. “But this gesture is not a Nazi salute. It’s the clumsy gesture of an autistic man as he tells the crowd that his heart beats for them.” Musk himself stated in 2021 that he suffers from Asperger syndrome, a form of autism.
But what does the richest man in the world actually think about this? His opponents need “better dirty tricks,” Musk further wrote
Right-wing circles celebrate Musk
The technology billionaire spoke to Trump supporters at the Capitol One Arena in Washington on Monday. Musk struck his heart with his right hand and extended his right arm. He thanked Trump supporters for their contribution to Trump’s election victory: “Thank you for making this possible. My heart beats for you,” Musk said. According to media reports, Musk was celebrated in right-wing circles in the US for his gesture.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
