Elon Musk's gesture at a recent MAGA rally has ignited a firestorm with Democrats drawing comparisons to a Nazi salute. The Wall Street Journal's editorial board has strongly defended Musk labeling the criticism disinformation. The Anti-Defamation League has also offered a perspective suggesting the gesture was likely unintentional.
In response to what the Wall Street Journal characterized as "disinformation" spread by Democrats, who strongly criticized Elon Musk for his salute that was compared to a Hitler salute, the world's wealthiest man was defended by the newspaper on Wednesday night.
Earlier this week, while speaking to a cheering MAGA crowd at President Trump's inaugural rally, Musk placed his palm on his breast and then raised it in a salute.
Many were outraged by the gesture, particularly historians and Democrats. Such accusations were challenged by the editorial board of the Journal.
The billionaire slaps his chest and extends an arm toward the audience as he reacts to a screaming arena, saying that the 2024 election really mattered and that his heart goes out to them. As the board continued, the internet's peanut gallery went ballistic, claiming the gesture was a deliberate Nazi salute. Mainstream media sources used this claim to explain their coverage of the alleged dispute.
The editorial board pointed out that Musk was publicly backed by the Anti-Defamation League, an organization fighting antisemitism. In a statement on Musk's X platform, the ADL wrote: "This is a delicate moment. It's a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety. 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."
Perhaps Musk is only "awkward," the Journal suggested.
It referenced an episode of "Saturday Night Live" where Musk made a joke about going down in history as the first host with Asperger's. His less-than-stellar leap, which revealed some of his midriff during a Trump campaign event last year, was also brought up by the board, The Raw Story shares.
Some Democrats now assert that he is a Nazi, as the Journal reprimanded. Rep. Jerrold Nadler stated, "I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal. I urge all of my colleagues to unite in condemning this hateful gesture for what it is: antisemitism."
According to the editorial board, this is the beginning of a partisan talking point, along with the dissemination of false information.
