The controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s recent gesture during U.S. President Donald Trump’s post-inauguration celebration has sparked a wave of backlash online. Musk’s hand gesture, which some have interpreted as a Nazi salute, has led to widespread criticism and negative media coverage.
In his speech at the event, Musk expressed gratitude to the audience for their participation in the recent U.S. presidential elections, stating, “Some elections are important. Some are not, but this one, this one really mattered. And I just want to say thank you for making it happen. Thank you. My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.” While Musk’s intention may have been positive, his hand gesture has been taken out of context and viewed as controversial.
The media coverage of Musk’s salute has been overwhelmingly negative, with many outlets labeling the CEO as a fascist. This narrative has led to derogatory terms being used to describe Tesla vehicles, such as the “Swasticar” and the “Model SS.” Additionally, there have been reports of protests against Musk, including one that allegedly projected the words “Heil Tesla” on the facade of Giga Berlin.
Despite the backlash, Musk has remained unfazed by the criticism and has defended himself on social media. In a recent post on X, Musk expressed his astonishment at how the legacy media had tried to cancel him for his gesture. He also asserted that the deception by the media would only further erode its credibility.
Unfortunately, the backlash against Musk has extended to his family members, particularly his sister Tosca Musk. Maye Musk, mother to Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca, shared her frustration on X, revealing that Tosca’s company, PassionFlix, has been targeted with hate on social media. Subscribers have reportedly canceled their subscriptions, believing that they should not support a “Nazi family.” Maye Musk called out the legacy media for perpetuating this false narrative and urged for its demise.
In response to Maye Musk’s post, several users on X have voiced their support for Tosca and her company, with some pledging to subscribe to PassionFlix in solidarity. The online attacks on Musk and his family members highlight the dangers of misinformation and the impact it can have on individuals and businesses. It serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information and not succumbing to online vitriol.