As previously reported by The Dallas Express, President Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, marking his return to the White House for a second, non-consecutive term. Due to cold weather conditions, the ceremony took place indoors in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.
Elon Musk attended the post-inauguration rally, where he addressed the audience and made a Roman salute-style gesture as a symbolic display of appreciation for their support of Trump.
“My heart goes out to you,” Musk told the crowd, reported Politico.
The gesture, a stiff-armed salute, quickly drew the attention of multiple media outlets, with some accusing Musk of performing a “Nazi salute.”
“Elon Musk’s ‘Nazi’ salute sparks fury from Europe’s left wing,” Politicos headline read.
PBS News, which is funded by taxpayers, posted on X, describing Musk’s gesture as a “fascist salute.”
“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 posted on X.
Musk took to X to respond: “The legacy media is pure propaganda. You are the media now.”
The legacy media is pure propaganda.
You are the media now. https://t.co/lgkIbzcAZP
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025
The attacks from the leftwing media outlets have been met with criticism from both conservative and liberal figures.
“Why are taxpayers subsidizing dishonest partisan liars? @elonmusk literally said “my heart goes out to you” as he made the gesture from his heart to the people. PBS knows they are lying, and they are proud of doing so. They should be defunded,” Senator Ted Cruz wrote on X.
“Let me break this down: 1. Elon Musk put his hand over his heart. 2. He then threw his hand out to the audience as a gesture of love for voting Trump while saying thank you. Can we please stop calling people Nazis?” liberal social media influencer Angela Belcamino wrote on X.