Elon Musk Denies Being a Nazi and Addresses Online Hate

Elon Musk recently addressed the accusations of being a Nazi and the online hate he has been facing, stating that the situation has been 'pretty stressful' for him.

Clarifying Misunderstandings

During a three-hour episode of Joe Rogan's podcast, Musk clarified the controversy surrounding a gesture he made at President Donald Trump's inauguration celebration. Many interpreted the gesture as a fascist salute, leading to widespread backlash.

Response to Accusations

Various individuals and organizations, including former vice president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany Michel Friedman and US Rep. Jerry Nadler, condemned Musk's gesture as reminiscent of a "Heil Hitler" salute. However, the Anti-Defamation League viewed it as an "awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute."

Addressing the Criticisms

In response to the accusations, Musk used wordplay and humor to dismiss the claims of Nazi affiliation, emphasizing that the gesture was not intended to convey any Nazi symbolism. He expressed his frustration with the persistent criticisms and clarified that he is not a Nazi.

Dealing with Online Hate

During the podcast, Musk also opened up about the challenges of dealing with online hate and threats directed towards him. He revealed that some individuals have expressed violent intentions towards him on social media platforms.

Controversies and Allegations

In addition to the gesture controversy, Musk's support for Germany's Alternative for Germany party, known for its nationalistic and anti-immigration stance, has sparked further debate. The party's leaders have been criticized for repurposing Nazi slogans and downplaying Germany's history of crimes during the Nazi era.

Musk has not yet responded to requests for comment from Business Insider regarding these allegations.

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By: ggoodwin@businessinsider.com (Grace Eliza Goodwin)
Title: Elon Musk Denies Being a Nazi and Addresses Online Hate
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tells-joe-rogan-hes-not-a-nazi-2025-2
Published Date: Sat, 01 Mar 2025 05:01:01 +0000