People across Europe were upset after Elon Musk made a hand gesture that looks like a Nazi salute, which is illegal in Germany. Some people thought he did it on purpose to support far-right groups.
Michel Friedman, a well-known writer in Germany and France, was very angry. He said Musk’s actions were a big problem for the free world. Friedman, whose family suffered during the Holocaust, said he was shocked when he saw the event on TV. He believed Musk clearly made the Nazi “Heil Hitler” salute, even though some people tried to downplay it.
Charlotte Knobloch, a leader of the Jewish community in Germany, also found the gesture very worrying. However, she was more concerned about Musk supporting a far-right political party in Germany, which she said was more dangerous than the salute.
Musk made the gesture while speaking on stage before former U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at an event in Washington, D.C. He placed his hand on his heart and then quickly moved it upward, repeating the motion in the other direction. He said, “My heart goes out to you.” Later, Musk responded to criticism online, saying people were overreacting and that calling everyone “Hitler” was getting old.
Germany’s leader, Olaf Scholz, said Musk’s support for far-right ideas was not acceptable, even though free speech is allowed in Europe. A German judge explained that making a Nazi salute is a crime, but only if it’s done on purpose and with bad intentions.
Some people, like a law expert, said whether Musk meant it as a Nazi salute depends on the situation. The U.S. Anti-Defamation League said Musk’s gesture was not a Nazi salute, but just an awkward movement made in excitement.
German journalists had different opinions. One writer said it was clearly a Nazi salute, while another said it was not, and people should focus on more important issues about Musk.
Friedman asked Musk to be more responsible and think about what his actions mean. Friedman’s family was almost completely wiped out in the Holocaust, with only a few surviving thanks to Oskar Schindler, a businessman who helped save Jewish lives.