House Antisemitism Chair Flags Elon Musk’s Salute as ‘Support for Hitler’

Elon Musk’s hand gesture while speaking at an event honoring President Donald Trump “can only be interpreted as a Seig Heil salute,” according to Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman.

Why It Matters

Musk, the world’s richest man and a close ally to Trump, was accused by many of twice making a Nazi gesture while speaking briefly to a crowd of Trump supporters gathered for an indoor “Presidential Parade” at Washington’s Capital One Arena shortly after Trump was sworn in for his second term on Monday.

Trump has also been accused by some of emulating Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and other fascist leaders since launching his political career. Both Trump and Musk have denied that they are antisemitic or are politically aligned with Nazism or fascism.

What To Know

After telling the Capital One Arena audience “thank you” for reelecting Trump on Monday, Musk appeared to grab his chest and then forcefully extended his right arm fully into the air with an outstretched straight hand while making a grunting noise—a gesture that appeared similar to a “Roman Salute,” which was commonly used in Nazi Germany.

Musk then turned to face the crowd seated behind him and repeated the gesture before touching his chest again and telling the crowd, “My heart goes out to you.” Some supporters of Musk have claimed that the billionaire intended to use the gesture to show that he was sending his “heart” out to the crowd.

Goldman, co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, said in a statement on Tuesday that Musk had “repeatedly” promoted antisemitic and racist rhetoric, while arguing that his gesture was clearly a demonstration of a salute meant to show “support for Hitler.”

“Elon Musk has repeatedly pushed for the racist and antisemitic ‘Great Replacement’ conspiracy theory, endorsed the Nazi-sympathizing German Political Party AfD, and allowed anti-Jewish hate to proliferate unabated on his website, X,” said Goldman in the statement, which was emailed to Newsweek on Tuesday.

“Viewed in that context, and regardless of any justification, his salute last night at Donald Trump’s inauguration rally can only be interpreted as a Seig Heil salute that is synonymous with Nazi support for Hitler,” he continued. “Neo-Nazi and far-right extremists have interpreted Musk’s salute to refer to the Seig Heil salute to Hitler.”

Goldman went on to say that Musk’s behavior “only increases the problem” of “Jews around the world [being] scared because of the contemptible rise in antisemitism.”

“Musk must issue an immediate apology, and President Trump must disavow and denounce his actions,” he added. “If not, Donald Trump cannot credibly claim to be a friend of the Jewish people with Elon Musk by his side.”

Newsweek reached out for comment to X and the White House via email on Tuesday night.

What People Are Saying

Musk, replying to a right-wing X account calling descriptions of his gesture “the salute hoax” on Monday night: “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), posting in part in response to criticism of Musk’s gesture 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.”

Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, responding to the ADL’s post: “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.”

Democratic Senator Chis Murphy, who clashed over the gesture during a Tuesday hearing with Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Elise Stefanik, in a video statement: “That is clear, that is the Nazi salute. That is the Heil Hitler salute.. Of course it’s the Nazi salute. Because Elon Musk, he’s endorsed the neo-Nazi party inside Germany, he amplifies antisemitic conspiracy theories on Twitter. And maybe what’s most important, even though Elise Stefanik maybe didn’t think that it was a Nazi salute, Neo-Nazis in the United States did. White supremacists in the United States did.”

What Happens Next

Musk is expected to be deeply involved in the Trump administration as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While controversy over his gesture may continue, it is unlikely to have any practical impact on his future.