Monday, July 20, 2026

Elon Musk causes stir with Nazi-type salute at Trump inauguration

Mr Musk, one of Mr Trump’s closest advisers, was among the speakers on stage before Mr Trump arrived at the Capital One Arena in Washington.

• January 21, 2025
Elon Musk's Nazi-type salute
Elon Musk’s Nazi-type salute [Credit; The Guardian]

Tech billionaire Elon Musk caused controversy at the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday with a gesture that appeared similar to a Nazi salute.

Mr Musk, one of Mr Trump’s closest advisers, was among the speakers on stage before Mr Trump arrived at the Capital One Arena in Washington.

Mr Musk thanked supporters, placed his right hand on his heart and quickly extended it upwards.

“My heart goes out to you,” Mr Musk said before repeating the gesture.

Users on Musk’s online platform X noted that the gesture resembled a Nazi salute.

U.S. broadcaster CNN replayed the footage multiple times during its programme, with a presenter stating viewers were smart enough to form their own opinion.

Initially, Mr Musk did not provide an explanation for the action.

However, he shared footage of his remarks and the gesture via X.

Ahead of Mr Trump’s swearing-in, Mr Musk enthused about the “Return of the King,” sharing a screenshot of Mr Trump’s once-banned Twitter account alongside the official presidential profile.

Twitter banned Mr Trump in the wake of the January 6, 2021 riots, before Mr Musk reinstated the account when he purchased the social media platform in 2022.

(dpa/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Portable and TerryG

Showbiz

Portable challenges Terry G to boxing match

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, has challenged veteran artiste Terry G to a boxing match, saying the bout would revive Terry G’s career.

Southern Water

Economy

UK govt fines Southern Water £7 million for sewage pollution

The prosecution came almost exactly five years after Southern Water received a record £90 million fine for nearly 7,000 illegal sewage discharges.

Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch

World

Andy Burnham is people pleaser, doesn’t want scrutiny: Kemi Badenoch

The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has described the prospective prime minister as a “people pleaser”.

UNICAL students

Education

UniCal reaffirms ban on wild post-exam celebrations, warns students

The University of Calabar has reiterated its ban on wild post-examination celebrations and other acts that could disrupt peace on campus.

Nigerian Governors Forum

Politics

Governors urged to embrace non-custodial prison sentences

Mr Enobore, a former spokesman for the Nigeria Correctional Service, gave the charge in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

Nigeria map and police officers

Opinion

Some foundational arguments on state police (Part Deux)

What kind of police federalism does Nigeria need?