Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk sparked controversy on Monday after making hand gestures that critics likened to a Nazi salute during celebrations marking the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.

Speaking at the event, Musk lauded Trump’s November 4 election victory, calling it “no ordinary triumph” and praising the new administration's plans. However, a moment during his address has become the subject of widespread backlash.

“This honestly could not look more like a Nazi salute,” British journalist Owen Jones posted on the social media platform X, echoing concerns raised by various commentators online.

فوٹو: رائٹرز

The Israeli daily Haaretz also weighed in, describing Musk’s gesture as resembling a “Roman salute,” a motion historically linked to fascist regimes, particularly Nazi Germany.

‘Not a Nazi salute,’ says ADL

Amid the uproar, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent anti-Semitism watchdog, stepped forward to defend Musk, attributing the gesture to “an awkward moment of enthusiasm.”

“In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath,” the ADL stated in a post on X. “This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”

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Efforts to reach Musk’s legal representatives and his companies for comments remained unanswered as of Monday evening, reported Al Jazeera.

Musk’s political shift

Musk’s actions come amid mounting scrutiny of his apparent political realignment. Previously known for his moderate views, the Tesla CEO has moved sharply to the right in recent years, publicly endorsing Trump after the Republican narrowly survived an attempted assassination in July.

Earlier this month, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, in a live conversation on his social media platform X. His endorsement of AfD in February’s national elections drew criticism from liberal quarters in Germany.

The incident has further polarised opinions about Musk, with some questioning his political affiliations and others urging caution before drawing conclusions. The controversy, however, underscores the growing challenge of navigating the intersection of politics and public perception in an increasingly digital world.