Is this how fascism starts? Elon Musk's salute to the crowd after Donald Trump was sworn in as US president has sparked a debate on the future of America.
Musk's Nazi salute leaves many aghast
Is this how fascism starts? Elon Musk's salute to the crowd after Donald Trump was sworn in as US president has sparked a debate on the future of America.
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. is banned in four countries. And in most other countries, it will end your career.
But yesterday, Elon MuskA South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'. appeared to use the salute twice in front of a huge crowd of people celebrating Donald TrumpAn American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025.'s swearing in ceremony as US presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president..
Elon Musk is a businessman and the world's richest man. He is a big supporter of Donald Trump and has a role in his new governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country..
The 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 was used by Adolf HitlerA dictator, and the leader of Nazi Germany during World War Two. , the man who led Nazi Germany. He was responsible for the murders of millions of people, including many JewishRelating or belonging to the religion of Judaism. people.
Some have rushed to Musk's defence. They claim it was not a Nazi salute, but just a normal wave that seemed like a salute.
In recent years, Elon Musk has joined a right-wing online crowd. They do or say extreme things, which they know will cause a strong reaction. When others are shocked or angered, they boastBrag. Talk with too much pride about how brilliant you are. about "triggering" their critics. They can flirt with extreme ideas without ever actually openly saying they support them.
So, some say, Musk is probably quite happy for people to keep talking about his salute.
In the last few months, Musk has promoted Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-rightA range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents. political party in Germany. AfD figures have been accusedClaim that someone has done something wrong. of using Nazi sayings.
Musk has also called for the British prime minister, Keir StarmerThe leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024., to be removed from power. And on XA social media network, formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk. , which he owns, he often interacts with extreme accounts.
Is this how fascismA political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies. starts?
Yes! Musk does not try to hide that he has far-right ideas. And now he can share his ideas directly with one of the world's most powerful people. This is how fascism starts.
No! Musk is a sad and lonely man looking for attention, and he knows he can get it by doing shocking things. Trump will likely grow bored of him soon.
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'.
Donald Trump - An American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
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.
Adolf Hitler - A dictator, and the leader of Nazi Germany during World War Two.
Jewish - Relating or belonging to the religion of Judaism.
Boast - Brag. Talk with too much pride about how brilliant you are.
Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.
Accused - Claim that someone has done something wrong.
Keir Starmer - The leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024.
X - A social media network, formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk.
Fascism - A political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.
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'.
Donald Trump - An American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
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.
Adolf Hitler - A dictator, and the leader of Nazi Germany during World War Two.
Jewish - Relating or belonging to the religion of Judaism.
Boast - Brag. Talk with too much pride about how brilliant you are.
Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.
Accused - Claim that someone has done something wrong.
Keir Starmer - The leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024.
X - A social media network, formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk.
Fascism - A political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.