Is this how fascism starts? Nerves were already on edge as Donald Trump issued a slew of orders to change the face of America. Now his right-hand man has poured fuel on the fire.
Musk's Nazi salute leaves many aghast
Is this how fascism starts? Nerves were already on edge as Donald Trump issued a slew of orders to change the face of America. Now his right-hand man has poured fuel on the fire.
No gesture is more universally reviled than the Nazi saluteA gesture in which the right arm is held upwards with the palm down. The gesture was used as a greeting in Nazi Germany. . Banned in four countries, certain to end careers in most others.1
But in Donald Trump's USA, the world's richest man and a key member of the president's team was able to fire two off in public, in front of a huge crowd, without even a slap on the wrist.
Some have rushed to Elon MuskA South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'.'s defence, claiming Musk's Asperger's syndromeNow considered part of the autism spectrum, Asperger's syndrome is named after Austrian paediatrician Hans Asperger who described some of its characteristics. They include difficulties with social interaction and non-verbal communication. caused a normal wave to seem like a salute, which many other autistic people found unlikely and offensive.
But most experts think the debate over whether it was a NaziA German political party of the twentieth century, led by Adolf Hitler. The Nazis controlled Germany from the early 1930s until the end of World War II. salute, which has occupied most US media, is a superficial one.
One of the defining features of the internet-based populistThe term comes from the People's Party, which operated in the USA in the 1890s. Now, it is often used to refer to any movement that makes a distinction between the "people" and the corrupt "establishment". right that has adopted Musk as one of its own is that it likes to hide behind several layers of ironyA situation in which the result is opposite to what you might expect..
They do or say provocativeStatements or actions that will cause a strong reaction from those observing. things, and then when the outrage pours in they boast about "triggering" their opponents. That way they can flirt with extremist ideas without ever actually committing to them.2
So, observers suggest, Musk is probably quite happy for people to keep talking about his salute. It signals his membership of his online crowd - and it keeps their attention away from his actual far-rightA range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents. commitments.
In the last few months, Musk has promoted Alternative for Germany (AfD), a political party so far to the right that no other German party will work with it. AfD figures have been accused of downplaying the HolocaustThe murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed. and using Nazi slogans.3
Musk has also turned his attention to the UK, where he has called for the ousting of prime minister Keir Starmer and demanded Tommy RobinsonA British far-right activist. He was a founder of the EDL (English Defence League). be released from prison.4
When he took over Twitter, he allegedly began boosting posts with a right-wing message.5 He himself frequently engages with fascistFollowing fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism. accounts.
Is this how fascism starts?
Yes: Musk does not try to hide his far-right sympathies. He now has the ear of a far-right president. Between them these two men have brought fascism to the world's foremost power.
No: Musk is a sad and lonely man looking for attention, who has found he can get it cheaply from online fascists. Thanks to his need for attention he is unlikely to last long in Trump's inner circle anyway.
Or... Musk's political ideas do not really matter. What matters is that Big Tech and the Trump administration are now closely linked, ensuring this government will serve companies' interests above all else.
Nazi salute - A gesture in which the right arm is held upwards with the palm down. The gesture was used as a greeting in Nazi Germany.
Elon Musk - A South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'.
Asperger's syndrome - Now considered part of the autism spectrum, Asperger's syndrome is named after Austrian paediatrician Hans Asperger who described some of its characteristics. They include difficulties with social interaction and non-verbal communication.
Nazi - A German political party of the twentieth century, led by Adolf Hitler. The Nazis controlled Germany from the early 1930s until the end of World War II.
Populist - The term comes from the People's Party, which operated in the USA in the 1890s. Now, it is often used to refer to any movement that makes a distinction between the "people" and the corrupt "establishment".
Irony - A situation in which the result is opposite to what you might expect.
Provocative - Statements or actions that will cause a strong reaction from those observing.
Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.
Holocaust - The murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed.
Tommy Robinson - A British far-right activist. He was a founder of the EDL (English Defence League).
Fascist - Following fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism.
Musk’s Nazi salute leaves many aghast

Glossary
Nazi salute - A gesture in which the right arm is held upwards with the palm down. The gesture was used as a greeting in Nazi Germany.
Elon Musk - A South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'.
Asperger's syndrome - Now considered part of the autism spectrum, Asperger's syndrome is named after Austrian paediatrician Hans Asperger who described some of its characteristics. They include difficulties with social interaction and non-verbal communication.
Nazi - A German political party of the twentieth century, led by Adolf Hitler. The Nazis controlled Germany from the early 1930s until the end of World War II.
Populist - The term comes from the People's Party, which operated in the USA in the 1890s. Now, it is often used to refer to any movement that makes a distinction between the "people" and the corrupt "establishment".
Irony - A situation in which the result is opposite to what you might expect.
Provocative - Statements or actions that will cause a strong reaction from those observing.
Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.
Holocaust - The murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed.
Tommy Robinson - A British far-right activist. He was a founder of the EDL (English Defence League).
Fascist - Following fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism.