Fact Check

Fact Check: Did Elon Musk Do a Nazi Salute at the Trump Inauguration Rally?

By C. Douglas Golden January 21, 2025 at 6:00am

President Donald Trump’s administration is less than a day old, and already the media has seized upon its first dog-whistling controversy. But is it real?

This time, it doesn’t involve Trump himself, but Trump supporter — and Tesla/SpaceX CEO, X owner, and Department of Government Efficiency leader — Elon Musk giving his speech at Trump’s post-inauguration rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Musk made a gesture during the address that, as per the media, resembled a Nazi salute.

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Tags:

2024 election, CNN, Department of Government Efficiency, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Establishment media, Inauguration, Media bias, Media watch, Nazi Germany, Trump administration

C. Douglas Golden

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@CillianZeal

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C. Douglas Golden is a writer who splits his time between the United States and Southeast Asia. Specializing in political commentary and world affairs, he's written for Conservative Tribune and The Western Journal since 2014. Aside from politics, he enjoys spending time with his wife, literature (especially British comic novels and modern Japanese lit), indie rock, coffee, Formula One and football (of both American and world varieties).

Birthplace

Morristown, New Jersey

Education

Catholic University of America

Languages Spoken

English, Spanish

Topics of Expertise

American Politics, World Politics, Culture