'What a joke': Critics blast ADL as it downplays Musk's salute as 'awkward gesture'

Tech billionaire Elon Musk's inauguration gesture drew immediate concern from frightened social media users over its comparisons to a Nazi salute, but a leading organization dedicated to combatting antisemitism backed Musk on Monday afternoon, downplaying it as merely an "awkward gesture."

Musk shook up social media after a speech he delivered to a cheering MAGA crowd at President Donald Trump’s inauguration rally. But it wasn’t the speech itself inside the Capitol One Arena that stunned political observers in the first hours of Trump’s new presidency – but the gesture he made at the conclusion that opened up a flood of reaction on social media.

"Billionaire Elon Musk gave what appeared to be a fascist salute Monday while making a speech at the post-inauguration celebration for President Donald Trump at the Capital One Arena," PBS News wrote in a post on X.

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PBS noted added that Musk put his hand on his chest and then raised "it in a salute that appeared similar to the 'Sieg Heil' used by Nazis at their victory rallies."

According to the Anti-Defamation League, the Nazi or Hitler salute debuted in Nazi Germany in the 1930s as a way to "pay homage to Adolf Hitler."

"It consists of raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down. In Nazi Germany, it was often accompanied by chanting or shouting 'Heil Hitler' or 'Sieg Heil.' Since World War II, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists have continued to use the salute, making it the most common white supremacist hand sign in the world," the organization wrote on its website.

The ADL quickly downplayed Musk's gesture and called for people to give each other "a bit of grace" in what it called a "delicate moment."

"This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety. It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead," the ADL wrote on Musk's X platform.

The ADL's defense of Musk was met with some criticism, including civil rights attorney Joel Wertheimer, a former Obama associate staff secretary, who blasted the downplay on X.

"What a joke this org has become. Incredibly sad,' wrote Wertheimer.

In a separate post, he said Musk "endorsed some of the most vile antisemitism and specifically criticized the ADL over them."

"He endorsed AfD literal German neo-Nazis. Like what are we doing here?" an incensed Wertheimer questioned.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) echoed Wertheimer's sentiments.

"Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity," she wrote on X. "People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all."

"Can you imagine their response if Rashida Tlaib did this?" questioned essayist and writer Sami Gold on X.

"Oh man ADL has reached its final form. Glad that all pretense is gone," jabbed Adam Johnson, co-host of the Citations Needed podcast.

Watch Musk's salute below or at this link.