When Elon Musk raises his hands, the world watches—and this time, many are convinced he’s doing more than just signaling a new Tesla model. The controversy erupted after a gesture Musk made during Donald Trump’s inauguration resurfaced, drawing eerie comparisons to a Nazi salute.
Critics, including U.S. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jerry Nadler, as well as historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, slammed Elon Musk for what they saw as an alarming display. Musk, true to form, dismissed these concerns as “propaganda,” suggesting that people should focus on “real issues”—which, in Musk’s world, likely translates to optimizing Twitter’s (now X’s) algorithm or launching flamethrowers for fun. But is this just another case of Musk trolling the masses, or is there something more sinister lurking beneath the surface?
His Political Endorsements: A Step Too Far?
Elon Musk’s public endorsement of Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has raised eyebrows—and not in the way SpaceX rockets do. His speech to the AfD, urging Germans to “move beyond” the guilt of their Nazi past, didn’t just ruffle feathers—it sent historians into cardiac arrest.
For a party known for its anti-immigration and anti-EU stance, Musk’s endorsement was a golden ticket to mainstream legitimacy. But for everyone else, it sparked a question: Is Musk using his immense influence to whitewash extremist ideologies, or is he simply unaware that there are some history lessons you don’t rewrite?
Social Media: The Alt-Right Playground?
Elon Musk’s ownership of X (formerly Twitter) has done wonders for free speech—or at least, that’s what he claims. In reality, the platform has become a petri dish for alt-right content, with critics accusing Elon Musk of turning a blind eye to racist and extremist posts. In response, over 50 Reddit communities, representing at least 40 million users, decided to ban links to X in protest.
Elon Musk, however, seems unbothered. His response to the backlash was, predictably, to double down—calling it a “woke mob” attack. But with advertisers fleeing faster than a Tesla on Ludicrous Mode, Musk might soon realize that even free speech has a price tag.
The Gains: What’s in It for Musk?
Aligning with far-right ideologies isn’t just a publicity stunt—it could be a strategic move. Musk stands to gain:
Influence Over the Far-Right Base – By flirting with nationalist rhetoric, Musk can secure a loyal, politically charged user base for X, countering its decline.
Political Leverage – Cozying up to nationalist leaders could mean favorable government contracts for Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.
Resistance Against “Woke” Policies – Musk has long railed against DEI initiatives, environmental regulations, and progressive corporate policies. Far-right allies could help him push back.
Financial Benefits – Deregulation and nationalist policies might work in Musk’s favor, especially in cutting taxes and reducing oversight over his companies.
The Risks: Could Musk’s Gambit Backfire?
For every potential gain, there’s an even greater risk. If Musk continues down this path, he might face:
Reputational Damage – Going from “Tech Genius” to “Twitter’s Resident Extremist” isn’t exactly a branding win.
Loss of Business Partnerships – Major companies like Apple and Google have already distanced themselves. More could follow suit.
Legal Scrutiny – European anti-hate speech laws are no joke, and Musk might soon find himself in a legal quagmire.
Global Backlash – Countries like China and Germany, key markets for Tesla, could impose sanctions or restrictions.
Radicalization and Security Threats – Encouraging extremist groups isn’t just bad PR—it’s a genuine safety concern.
So, is Musk truly a Nazi sympathizer, or is he simply trolling on a global scale? The jury’s still out. But one thing is certain—when Elon Musk is involved, controversy is never far behind.
