Musk's hand gesture during Trump inauguration festivities draws scrutiny

Leading antisemitism tracker says arm motions were 'not a Nazi salute'

2025-01-21 Elon Musk Nazi salute

Elon Musk gestures at the podium inside the Capital One arena on the inauguration day of Donald Trump's second presidential term, in Washington on Jan. 20. © Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Billionaire Elon Musk's hand gesture while he spoke during a celebration of U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute on Monday, but a leading tracker of antisemitism said it appeared to represent a moment of enthusiasm instead.

Musk took the Capital One Arena stage in Washington to huge cheers, pumping his arms and shouting, "Yesssss."

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