Billionaire Elon Musk’s hand gesture when he spoke at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump immediately attracted public attention.
Reuters reported that billionaire Elon Musk’s hand gesture on January 20 was compared by the online community to the ” Hitler salute” or ” Nazi salute “, but many others said it was just a momentary act to show his excitement.

Accordingly, billionaire Musk stepped onto the stage at the Capital One Arena in Washington amid loud cheers, then he raised his hands and shouted loudly: “Yesssss”.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s controversial salute at President Donald Trump’s inauguration

“This is no ordinary victory. This is a crossroads for human civilization. This is a truly important victory. Thank you for making this happen! Thank you,” Mr. Musk said excitedly.

In a moment of excitement, the world’s richest man bit his lower lip, placed his right hand over his heart, fingers spread, then extended his right arm at an upward angle, palm down and fingers closed. Then, Mr. Musk turned and made the same hand gesture toward the crowd behind him.

“My heart goes out to you. Because of you, the future of civilization is secure,” Musk said at the end of the gesture.

US Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett quickly posted this image on social media with the sarcastic line: “Our new co-president, Elon Musk, gave a Nazi salute on the first day of Trump’s presidency.”

It is not yet clear whether Mr. Musk actually used the “Nazi” salute or if the action was just an accidental moment of excitement. Neither billionaire Elon Musk nor US President Donald Trump have responded.

Some users of the social platform X have spoken out to defend billionaire Musk, explaining that the above action was just expressing that “my heart is with you”.