Musk accused of giving Nazi salute during Trump inauguration celebrations
Tech billionaire says his critics need ‘better dirty tricks’ after coming under fire over hand gestures.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has come under fire after making hand gestures resembling the Nazi salute during a speech celebrating the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.
Addressing Trump supporters hours after the Republican was inaugurated as the 47th US president on Monday, Musk hailed the outcome of the November 4 election as “no ordinary victory”.
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“This was a fork in the road of human civilisation,” Musk said at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
“This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you.”
Musk then slapped his right hand on his chest before extending his arm at an upward angle with his palm down and fingers together.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who has been tasked with leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency in Trump’s administration, then turned around to face the crowd behind him and repeated the gesture.
Musk’s actions drew immediate scrutiny online, with some social media users accusing him of giving the infamous Sieg Heil salute associated with Adolf Hitler.
