US News
Elon Musk’s bizarre thank you to voters: A Nazi salute?
Elon Musk, the billionaire backer and ‘bestie’ of Donald Trump, thanked the voters in a bizarre way on inauguration day.

X is exploding with videos of the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, seemingly doing a straight arm salute upward, reminiscent of the Nazis to many commenting on the bizarre moment.

The moment came while giving a speech to Trump supporters at the Captial One Arena in downtown Washington. The sequences play out as follows: “I just want to say thank you. Thank you.” and then the salute.
Politics streamer Hasan Piker was live when he stumbled across the moment and was stunned, prompting him to ask on X whether Musk had really “hit the Roman salute” during his speech.
The Anti-Defamation League, which has been vocal in defending Israel and labeling pro-Palestinian protestors as anti-semitic, responded to the incident on X. The group, unsurprisingly, defended Musk, describing his salute as an “awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.”
The billionaire has not responded to his critics, but did repost his speech, with the caption “The future is so exciting!!”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.