Tech billionaire Elon Musk has sparked widespread condemnation after appearing to raise his right arm in what resembled a “Roman salute” during remarks at a rally celebrating President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The gesture, commonly associated with fascism and Nazi Germany, was made at the official rally held at Washington’s Capital One Arena.
The Roman salute, which has been used by far-right groups around the world, remains controversial for its historical ties to fascism, particularly in Italy and Nazi Germany. The gesture has often been associated with the Nazi slogan “Heil Hitler.” While the salute continues to be used by some far-right factions, it is illegal in Germany due to its connection to the Nazi regime, carrying penalties including fines and imprisonment.
Musk’s gesture raised alarm among many, particularly among Jewish communities who have expressed concern over his close relationship with Trump and his support for far-right ideologies. Over the years, Musk has made a series of statements that have amplified the views of far-right groups, including his repeated attacks on Jewish billionaire George Soros. Musk has accused Soros of attempting to “destroy Western civilization” and claimed that he funds groups linked to Hamas and the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Musk’s support for far-right political parties in Europe has also drawn scrutiny. He has defended his positions by highlighting his support for Israel, maintaining a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and accusing Soros of fueling the “great replacement theory.” This conspiracy theory, which alleges that immigration is being used to undermine the white population and alter political dynamics, has been linked to white nationalist extremists involved in deadly attacks in cities such as Charlottesville, El Paso, and Pittsburgh.
Recently, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right AfD party, for a discussion on his social media platform X. During the conversation, Weidel controversially claimed that Adolf Hitler’s policies were “leftist,” suggesting that Nazi policies were socialist and communist in nature, and distancing her party’s ideology from the horrors of Nazi history.
