In the hours following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, a rally in Washington, D.C., featuring Elon Musk has sparked reactions across the political spectrum. The Tesla CEO, an outspoken supporter of Trump, delivered an enthused speech, at one point making an arm gesture that has drawn different interpretations, fueling division among left-leaning and right-leaning media outlets.
Details behind Musk’s rally gesture
Musk, energized and passionate, took to the stage to a cheering crowd, fist-pumping and shouting into the microphone: “Yes! This is what victory feels like! Yeah!”
He went on to express his excitement about Trump’s victory, including sharing his vision of astronauts planting U.S. flags on Mars.
Musk mimed the motion of planting a flag twice on stage, with a loud grunt of enthusiasm.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 20, 2025
However, it was a later moment in his speech that caused controversy.
Musk thanked Trump supporters and expressed his heartfelt gratitude, saying, “My heart goes out to you,” as he hit his chest and raised his arm twice, directing the gesture to the crowd.
The movement has led some on the Left to speculate that Musk made a Nazi-style salute.
Divergent Media Reactions from Left and Right
The interpretation of Musk’s gesture has sharply divided the media along political lines. Left-leaning outlets have focused on the resemblance to fascist and Nazi symbolism.
New Republic: “Did Elon Musk Seriously Just Do a Nazi Salute at Trump’s Inauguration?”
The Guardian: “Elon Musk appears to make back-to-back fascist salutes at inauguration rally.”
CNN anchors discussed the gesture live, saying, “that salute was evocative of things that we have seen throughout history” and even mentioning Musk’s growing political presence in Europe, particularly in far-right circles in Germany.
Right-leaning outlets have strongly rejected these accusations by focusing their coverage on criticizing the media’s interpretation of Musk’s gesture.
Fox News: “Media outlets accuse Elon Musk of giving ‘fascist salute’ at Trump inauguration rally.”
The National Review: “CNN Anchors Imply Elon Musk Gave Nazi Salute at Trump Inaugural Rally.”
PBS News also weighed in, posting on X that Musk’s gesture “appeared to be a fascist salute,” a post that was later picked up by politicians to express their sentiment over the gesture.
Political backlash and support
Democratic politicians like Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., condemned Musk’s gesture as “antisemitism” in a post on X. Nadler called it a “Heil Hitler” salute and called it “abhorrent.”
Meanwhile, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene decried the media’s characterization of the gesture, suggesting PBS funding could get cut over “lying and spreading propaganda to serve the Democrat party.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., defended Musk on Capitol Hill during questioning from a democratic colleague at her confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy asked Stefanik about her thoughts “of Elon Musk doing two heil Hitler salutes at the televised rally.”
“No, Elon Musk did not do those salutes,” Stefanik responded. “The American people are smart. They see through it and they support Elon Musk.”
An unlikely ally for Musk came from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which defended Musk’s actions. Despite Musk’s previous disagreements with the ADL over speech regulation on X. The ADL posted a statement calling the gesture “awkward” but not a Nazi salute, urging people to extend grace in such a politically charged environment.
This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety.
— ADL (@ADL) January 20, 2025
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…
Musk himself reacted to the ADL’s defense, thanking them with a laughing emoji, and reposting comments from users labeling the controversy a “salute hoax.”
Musk condemned the Left over the interpretation, saying “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is so tired” on X.
Bias Breakdown conclusion: A divisive debate
As President Trump begins his second term, the controversy surrounding Musk’s speech highlights the intense polarization in U.S. politics and media.
Left-leaning media outlets have zeroed in on Musk’s gesture, interpreting it as a troubling symbol of fascist tendencies.
Meanwhile, conservative voices have rejected these claims, accusing the media of playing into a political agenda.
The debate underscores how a single event can be spun in vastly different directions depending on one’s political leanings.
What some see as an innocent gesture of excitement, others interpret as a deeply problematic symbol. Both political sides are entrenched in their respective narratives, as seen in the media’s reporting.
As we examine this story, it’s clear how the lens through which we view events can shape our understanding. Left-wing outlets have highlighted the potential dangers of fascist symbolism, while right-wing media have pushed back, framing it as an example of media overreach.
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