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Elon Musk responds to backlash over Nazi salute Exactly how you imagine.
It's almost impressive while something like Donald Trump's inauguration may prove even more controversial than people imagined.
However, the real star of the show turned out to be Trump supporter and famous Twitter ruiner Elon Musk.
Now after performing a Nazi salute or somehow appearing to accidentally perform a Nazi salute twice during his speechhe said exactly what everyone thought he would say.
Did Elon Musk just give the Nazi salute at Trump's inauguration?
A narcissistic billionaire obsessed with white birth rates doing the Nazi salute at Donald Trump's inauguration would be a bit heavy-handed for a political satire.
But the events of January 20 were not satire. This is America's new reality.
Some media outlets removed Musk's salute, perhaps out of fear of retaliation from Trump. However, the video still exists and you can watch it for yourself.
Elon just did a sieg heil during his speech.
—Alejandra Caraballo (@esqueer.net) January 20, 2025 at 4:10 p.m.
Many news outlets avoided calling it a “Nazi salute.”
However, some members of the alt-right are celebrating what they see as an escalation from hissing to open approval. And news networks in countries with laws prohibiting the display of Nazi images had to censor Musk's salute.
What is Elon Musk's response to the Nazi salute controversy?
Immediately after Musk's shocking display, many on social media were in agreement: He would simply deny that it was a Nazi move. All the while receiving praise and support from the Nazis who were delighted to see his salvation.
After all, we've seen it with other alt-right symbols. During Trump's first term in the White House, many politicians and political groups shared photos involving a seemingly innocuous subject. hand gesture which, in recent years, has come to represent “white power.”
Many conservatives, especially those associated with the alt-right, seem to view flashing fascist symbols as a “game” that they win by upsetting decent people. In these terms, they are very good at winning. And Elon Musk is of course no exception.
“Frankly, they need better dirty tricks,” Elon Musk wrote on Twitter Monday evening. “The ‘Everyone is Hitler’ attack is so tired.”
He cited a tweet that included a screenshot of one of his old tweets, one that predicted a “campaign of dirty tricks” against him for supporting far-right politicians in America and abroad.
Simply put, it appears Musk is laughing as the world responds to his apparent Nazi salute. He seems happy to express praise for those who love fascist protests, but also eager to mock anyone who characterizes him for what he is in a critical context. Truly the worst of both worlds.
Times of division continue in America
As Trump supporters celebrate this week, tens of millions of Americans are unhappy with the outcome of the 2024 election. But low voter turnout — a symptom of many factors rather than, say, TikTok discouragement or the voter suppression alone – did not help their cause.
Right now, people at risk can look out for each other.
If a trans person and their family must flee their state for one with legal protections, help them if you can. Remember, ICE cannot enter a home without a warrant signed by a judge. And if you are afraid of the current agenda, don't forget to vote in 2026 and 2028.
What you might not be able to do is shame Elon Musk online. The man allegedly paid people to play video games on his behalf so he could claim to be the best in the world at it. Which, in addition to perfectly summarizing his history as a businessman and who he is as a person, highlights that Musk is fundamentally unapologetic.
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