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, including the Anti-Defamation League, an organisation founded to combat anti-semitismShowing hatred or prejudice towards Jewish people. in the US which has however cleaved more and more closely to Donald Trump in recent years. The group called it "an awkward gesture".
Others claimed 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 Nazi 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 irony.
They do or say provocative 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 endorsed Alternative for Germany (AfD), a political party so far to the right that no other German party will work with it, for the country's forthcoming national elections. 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 amplified far-right groups' false claims about grooming gangs of Pakistani origin, 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 systematically boosting posts with a right-wing message.5 He himself frequently engages with unabashedly fascistFollowing fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism. accounts.
He obsesses over low birth rates, which he has called a greater threat to civilisation than climate breakdown, and argues the solution is to teach girls that they should look forward to having children when they are older.
This echoes two far-right tropes. The first is the Great Replacement conspiracy theory, which claims the White population is being deliberately suppressed and "replaced" by non-White people and which Musk has flirted with in the past.
The second is that the gains of feminismCalling for women's rights with the aim of achieving gender equality. should be reversed and women returned to a child-rearing role in the home.
But others say his personal politics are not what really matters. Musk is one of many tech billionaires to have rallied around Trump in a move that experts suspect is aimed at influencing his policies in their favour.
One of the most essential characteristics of fascism is the merger of the state and big business. Simply by incorporating himself into the government, some say, Musk is already advancing the march of the far right.
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 no ideologueA person who believes very strongly in particular principles and tries to follow them carefully.. He 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 the limelight 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 corporate 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'.
anti-semitism - Showing hatred or prejudice towards Jewish people.
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.
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".
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.
Feminism - Calling for women's rights with the aim of achieving gender equality.
Ideologue - A person who believes very strongly in particular principles and tries to follow them carefully.
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'.
anti-semitism - Showing hatred or prejudice towards Jewish people.
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.
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".
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.
Feminism - Calling for women's rights with the aim of achieving gender equality.
Ideologue - A person who believes very strongly in particular principles and tries to follow them carefully.