Donald Trump’s viral inauguration day moment doesn’t belong on 47e president of the United States, but to Elon Musk, the richest man on the planet.
Posted at 6:09 p.m.
At the end of a speech at Capital One Arena, where thousands of Donald Trump supporters were gathered, the boss of Tesla and SpaceX twice performed what looked like a Roman salute, a fascist gesture associated with Nazi Germany.
This salute is performed with the arm extended in front of you, with the palm of the hand facing the ground and the fingers clasped together.
“Some elections are important, others are not. But this one, this one really mattered and I want to thank you for making it possible,” Musk said before placing his hand on his chest and raising it in a “Sieg Heil”-like salute. used by the Nazis during their victory rallies.
He repeated the same gesture for the people sitting in the stands behind him, before adding: “My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. »
Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett posted this reaction on X: “Our new co-president Elon Musk makes a Nazi salute on the first day of the Trump presidency. »
Several other similar comments appeared on social networks, with supporting clips.
-In fact, there is no guarantee that Donald Trump’s ally, who received a standing ovation from the crowd, gave the Roman salute while thinking of his association with fascist Germany. Internet users have also defended him on social networks.
“As someone who has previously criticized Elon Musk, I can confidently say that this was not a Nazi salute. Elon Musk is a friend of the Jews,” wrote Batya Ungar-Sargon, head of the magazine’s Opinions section Newsweek. “It’s about a man with Asperger’s who exuberantly throws his heart out to the crowd. »
Clarification: Elon Musk may have Jewish friends, but he is not immune to conspiracy theories involving Jews, including American financier George Soros, the bête noire of the right and the far right.
He also sparked controversy recently when he claimed on X that only the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party can save Germany.
One thing is certain: Elon Musk had an exciting day. During his inauguration speech, Donald Trump made his dream of exploring Mars his own.
“The United States will once again see itself as a growing nation, a nation that increases its wealth, expands its territory, builds its cities, raises its expectations, and carries its flag to new and magnificent horizons. And we will pursue our manifest destiny in the stars by launching American astronauts to plant the Star-Spangled Banner on the planet Mars. »
