Did Musk give ‘Nazi’ salute and does it play into neo-fascists’ hands?
Historians disagree over the significance of Musk’s gesture, which is reminiscent of the greeting used by 20th century fascists and their modern-day supporters.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has sparked widespread speculation after he made two swift gestures at Trump’s inauguration rally which have been likened to a ‘Nazi’ or Roman salute.
Musk, who will head Trump’s newly-created department of government efficiency, greeted supporters by thumping his chest before emphatically extending his right arm forward, palm facing down. The gesture was repeated twice.
While many have slammed Musk’s move as a hostile evocation of 20th century fascism, others have dismissed it as a spontaneous act of emotion that carries no real political significance.
Euronews spoke to two renowned historians who dismissed the notion Musk was intentionally emulating the Roman and ‘Nazi’ salutes.
We break down what we know about the history of the salutes, and their relevance in modern-day politics.
What are the Roman and Nazi salutes?
The Roman salute is a historical gesture where the right arm is extended upwards with the palm facing down and fingers joined together.
It was adopted as a greeting by the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, who imposed its use with a 1925 royal decree. There is no substantive evidence to support claims made by Mussolini and his entourage that the greeting originates from ancient Rome.
The salute was later adopted by Nazi Germany as a sign of allegiance to Adolf Hitler.
The US Pledge of Allegiance, where Americans swear loyalty to their flag, was originally accompanied by the ‘Bellamy salute’ which bore an uncanny resemblance to what later became associated with fascism.
The Bellamy salute was scrapped by the US Congress in 1942 and replaced with the hand over heart gesture amid fears it could be mistaken for the Roman or Nazi salutes.
How is it being used today?
Today, the salute remains one of the most recognisable symbols of Nazi ideology and its use is illegal in a raft of European countries including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
It has also been adopted by modern-day neo-fascist groups.
In January last year, a video emerged showing hundreds of neo-fascist militants performing the salute during a rally marking the deaths of three far-right activists.
Italy’s top court then ruled the salute was not a crime unless it endangered public order or risked reviving fascist parties.
How do historians and online hate experts read Musk’s gesture?
Historian Richard Evans told Euronews that Musk’s gesture cannot be interpreted as a Nazi gesture as his gaze follows his hand rather than looking straight ahead.
ADVERTISEMENTHe also pointed out that Trump “is not a fascist” as he doesn’t share the fascist desire to “militarise society” and take over countries “beyond their backyard.”
“However, having said that, the danger to democracy is obvious. And it’s the danger to truth, justice and fairness,” Evans added.
Speaking to Euronews, Roger Griffin, Emeritus professor in modern history and expert in fascist studies, described Musk’s actions as “a grey area between a deliberately glorifying gesture and a spontaneous gesture.”
“It is a masculine display of celebration with ideological underpinnings,” Griffin added. “It does not make Musk a political fascist, but nevertheless shows how he subscribes to the megalomaniac ideologies of Trump.”
ADVERTISEMENTGriffin explained that neither Musk nor Trump can be associated with fascism despite several aspects of their politics and governance “ticking the boxes” of fascist ideology, such as xenophobia and a readiness to flout the rule of law.
“It is misconceived to see either Trump or Musk as fascists because fascism is an elaborated political ideology aimed at creating a new world order. Yet, they are both turbocharging the real threat to democracy, which is the de-liberalisation and dehumanisation of democracy,” he explained.
Jared Hold, a senior research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, told AP that he was “skeptical” Musk had acted on purpose as such an act of “self-sabotage wouldn’t really make much sense at all.”
Others believe Musk asked intentionally. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University wrote that “it was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too.”
ADVERTISEMENTThe dismissal of the gesture by Musk’s allies and other groups, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a non-profit founded with the aim of combating anti-Semitism, have also been met with incredulity.
Democrat representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez replied to a post in which ADL dismisses Musk’s gestures, accusing the organisation of “defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity.”
Could it fuel fascist groups?
Whether intentional or not, Musk’s gesture has invigorated neo-Nazi groups world wide.
White supremacist group White Lives Matter reacted on Telegram with the message: “Thanks for (sometimes) hearing us, Elon. The White Flame will rise again.”
ADVERTISEMENTThe leader of the American neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe said: “I don’t care if this was a mistake. I’m going to enjoy the tears over it.”
“Incredible things are happening already,” Andrew Torba, the founder of Gab, a social media known for its far-right, white supremacist user base, wrote over a picture Musk’s salute.
Evan Kilgore, a Holocaust denier and right-wing commentator, wrote on X: “Did Elon Musk just Heil Hitler… We are so back.”
Kilgore has worked for a conservative activist group called Turning Point USA which hosted a pre-inauguration ball on Sunday attended by both Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and Vice President JD Vance.
ADVERTISEMENTProfessor Roger Griffin told Euronews that while Trump’s vision of an “illiberal democracy” should not be mistaken for fascism, there are clear signs he and his entourage is normalising right-wing radicalisation.
On Wednesday, president Trump defended his decision to pardonthose convicted of assaulting police officers during the January 2021 Capitol attacks, and refused to discard giving extremist groups such as Proud Boys and Oath keepers a place in US politics.
Members of both far-right militia groups were among the rioters imprisoned for their role in the attacks, and were among those released this week after Trump signed an executive order granting their clemency.
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