Elon Musk Defends Controversial Gesture, Dismisses Backlash with Nazi Pun on Joe Rogan Podcast
Elon Musk has responded to criticism after a gesture he made during President Donald Trump’s inauguration celebration sparked controversy earlier this year.
“I did not see it coming,” the billionaire joked on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Feb. 28, intentionally pronouncing “not see” as “Nazi” while discussing the backlash to his motion, which some likened to a Nazi salute.
Musk further stated, “People will Goebbels anything down,” referencing Joseph Goebbels, the infamous Nazi propagandist—a phrase he previously used in a post on X last month.
Musk Defends Gesture as ‘Enthusiastic’ Expression
Host Joe Rogan pushed back on the outrage, saying, “There are so many examples of people saying ‘my heart goes out to’ while making a similar gesture,” before adding, “You did it with a little enthusiasm that probably, in hindsight, wasn’t the best idea.”
Musk defended his intent, responding:
“It was obviously meant in the most positive spirit possible.”
Musk: ‘I’m Not a Nazi’
Musk, who currently serves as the head of President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), later shared a clip of the podcast on X, stating:
“Hopefully, people will realize I’m not a Nazi.”
He continued:
“You can’t escape this bull—-. The problem with Nazis wasn’t their fashion sense or mannerisms—it was the war and genocide. That’s the bad part. Not the mannerisms and their dress code.”
Incident at Trump’s Inauguration Celebration
The controversy began on Jan. 20, during Trump’s inauguration event at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. As Musk addressed supporters, he expressed gratitude:
“This one really mattered. And I just want to say thank you for making it happen. Thank you.”
He then placed his hand over his heart, followed by a salute at an upward angle with emphasis, before turning to acknowledge attendees behind him and repeating the motion.
“My heart goes out to you,” Musk said, placing his hand back over his chest.
Anti-Defamation League Responds
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) addressed the controversy in a statement on X, acknowledging concerns but urging for perspective:
“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.”
The statement encouraged “grace and understanding” in the current political climate, adding:
“This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”
Musk Previously Dismissed the Backlash
Following the initial uproar, Musk mocked the controversy on X, writing:
“Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.” 🤤
Despite the pushback, Musk remains defiant, framing the reaction as an overblown attempt to discredit him.