Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has sparked widespread controversy following an incident on Inauguration Day, where he made two enthusiastic arm gestures during President Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities.
The gestures quickly led to widespread criticism, with many social media users comparing them to a Nazi salute. Musk, however, swiftly dismissed these claims, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks.
Despite his dismissal, the incident has ignited significant backlash, particularly on online forums like Reddit, where discussions on banning links to X have been gaining traction.
Within the last 24 hours, a large number of Reddit users across various subreddits have been vocal about the idea of prohibiting X links, arguing that Musk’s controversial behavior aligns poorly with the values they seek to uphold in their communities.
One post, found in a Formula 1 subreddit, proposed restricting X links, citing the idea that “the values of most F1 fans generally oppose those of the person running that platform.”
The post suggested that enforcing limitations, such as only allowing X screenshots instead of direct links, would help reduce traffic to the platform. As of Tuesday evening, the post had garnered 34,000 votes in support.
Similarly, in a subreddit for Liverpool Football Club, users discussed banning X links due to their opposition to Musk’s behavior.
One user argued, “Seems like a no-brainer to me, especially given the values of our club.” Another replied, “Ban that filth,” reflecting the sentiment of many in these sports-related forums. This particular post had amassed 36,000 votes.
The controversy continued in a subreddit dedicated to the Chicago Bears, where a user advocated for banning X links, framing it as a reflection of the team’s values and its historical connection to players who fought in World War II. The post gained 16,000 votes, further illustrating the depth of the opposition to Musk’s behavior.
Musk’s gestures have been met with mixed reactions online. Critics have firmly claimed that the gestures resembled the Nazi salute, while some of Musk’s defenders argued that the gestures were reminiscent of the Roman salute.
Italian media reported that Andrea Stroppa, an advisor to Musk based in Rome, posted and later deleted a clip of the incident, with the caption: “Roman Empire is back starting from Roman salute.” However, many scholars have vehemently disagreed with this interpretation.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) weighed in, calling the situation “delicate” and suggesting that Musk’s gesture, while awkward, was likely unintentional.
They urged for grace and understanding, noting that the political climate was tense, and that all sides should approach the situation with a sense of calm and reconciliation.
However, the criticism has continued to mount. Democratic Representative Dan Goldman, co-chair of the House Antisemitism Task Force, condemned Musk’s actions, pointing to his previous endorsements of controversial figures and conspiracy theories.
Goldman referred to Musk’s “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory and his alleged support for the far-right German political party AfD, which has been associated with Nazi sympathies. He emphasized that, in light of Musk’s past actions, the salute could only be interpreted as a support for Nazi ideology, regardless of Musk’s explanation.
Musk’s actions and the ensuing debate come at a time when he is set to take a prominent role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during Trump’s second term.
However, DOGE is already facing multiple lawsuits from progressive groups accusing the department of violating the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a law that mandates transparency and public involvement in federal advisory committees.
These lawsuits, combined with Musk’s controversial behavior, have further intensified scrutiny on his role in the administration and the potential impact of his actions on both the political and social landscape.
This incident underscores the growing polarization in online spaces, where the actions of prominent figures like Musk can spark massive debates and drive divisive conversations across various communities. Whether Musk’s gesture was intentional or a simple mistake, the fallout serves as a reminder of the power of social media and the deep divisions that continue to shape public discourse.