Elon Musk has been slammed for his controversial gesture that drew comparisons to the infamous gesture associated with Nazi Germany.

Elon Musk sparked a wave of controversy after what appeared to be a ‘Hitler’ salute during President Donald Trump’s inaugural parade.

The Tesla CEO, known for his close ties to Trump’s administration, was seen raising his arm in a manner that drew comparisons to the infamous gesture associated with Nazi Germany.

The incident occurred as Musk stood among other prominent figures in the crowd, including tech moguls and political elites, at the parade celebrating Trump’s return to office. While the gesture was brief, it did not go unnoticed, and social media was quick to react.

Elon Musk sparked a wave of controversy after what appeared to be a ‘Hitler’ salute during President Donald Trump’s inaugural parade.  ( 
Image:
CNN)
Taking to X, one viewer asked: “What was that salute by Elon Musk?”

Another asked: “Did I just watch Elon Musk do the nazi salute 3 times on live tv?”

A third agreed: “Did Elon Musk just do what I think he did? Did that dude just rock a a proper Nazi salute?!”

Musk appeared on stage at the Capital One Area in front of 20,000 Trump supporters. Trump was sworn in and gave his first address inside the Capital Rotunda. He then moved to the Capital One Arena, where a parade and other celebrations will take place.

Musk, energized by the loud cheers, made animated hand gestures and screamed “yeah!” into the microphone before starting his speech. He was one of several tech billionaires seated at Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Musk enjoyed prime spots, while other attendees appeared to be less favorably placed.

Elon Musk, particularly close to Donald Trump during recent months, was appointed to serve on the president-elect’s panel, leading the Department of Government Efficiency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk has been seen frequently with Trump, including family photo ops and speaking engagements at pre-election rallies. Having poured nearly $300 million into Trump’s campaign efforts, Musk’s invitation to the inauguration was expected by many.

Three MAGA supporters told the Mirror US that rumors of Elon Musk being in charge during Trump’s incoming administration are “baloney” and simply “not true.”

Susan Allen, 66, denied the rumors but fed into some that Barron might take over for sometime after his father, saying that anything is possible. “I wonder if he has interest in that, and if he does have interest in that, I think he has the aptitude. He has a good teacher,” she said.

Dave, a 49-year-old who declined to provide his last name, told the Mirror US, “There’s one elected president. Elon is an appointed person just like Secretary of Defense would be, but the president has the right to appoint who he wants to, and I don’t think Elon is any different, or Vivek or anyone else.”

He added that Musk’s appointment, alongside Ramaswamy, to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, won’t “negatively affect people in the United States,” though he admitted that anything is possible.

MJ Valasco, 69, went so far as to call the theory that Musk is in charge ridiculous, calling it “evil lies from the left.” Valasco told the Mirror US, “I think that’s just hokey left wing lunacy, first of all I think you know who was elected and who took a bullet to the head and to say Elon Musk is president, not gonna happen.”