Leftists wasted no time after the inauguration of President Donald Trump to start seeing Nazis in every shadow - including, apparently, the vocally pro-Israel Elon Musk.
It all started when Musk, who admittedly has some bouts of social awkwardness thanks to the autism that simultaneously makes him brilliant and who kicked off his speech by dancing funnily around the stage, gestured to the massive crowd packed into the Capital One Arena in D.C. on Monday, telling them, “My heart goes out to you!”, following it up by pressing his hand to his chest before throwing out his arm in a movement symbolizing his words. But to leftists, the harmless gesture was nothing short of a straight-up Nazi salute.
Leftist provocateur Aaron Rupar tweeted:
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 20, 2025
So did Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a vocally left-wing, anti-Trump professor at New York University.
Historian of fascism here. That was a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too https://t.co/PB9sFCVJGA
— Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) January 20, 2025
CNN immediately jumped on the bandwagon, suggesting live on-air that Musk had thrown up a Heil Hitler in full view of God and the world.
NEW: CNN suggests Elon Musk made a Nazi salute during Trump's event at Capitol One arena, purposely leaves out Musk's comments when he said his heart goes out to the crowd.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 20, 2025
CNN: "It's a salute. It was quick. I think our viewers are smart and they can take a look at that, but it… pic.twitter.com/LDoWQODod4
Of course, the ridiculousness of such an assertion was quickly called out on social media. Even the pro-Jewish Anti-Defamation League defended Musk’s obviously-not-a-Nazi-salute, writing in a post on X, “It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath.”
Related: AOC Says She's Not Going to the Inauguration to Celebrate a 'Rapist'
To which AOC, who'd kicked off the day by calling Donald Trump a rapist, retorted, “Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all.”
Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 21, 2025
People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all. https://t.co/0gLdMCU3UV
It should be noted that if anything comes from the blathering, walking hot air balloon that is AOC, it should be summarily dismissed as garbage. But perhaps the most damning response to any suggestion that Musk was, in fact, welcoming in the Third Reich with his little arm-fling is this one. I'll just leave it here.
I guess it's (D)ifferent when he does it.. 😒 pic.twitter.com/dATwvP45HU
— Grape-kun's PISSED! (@RickyBaker_2111) January 20, 2025