After Elon Musk was accused of performing a “Nazi salute” during Donald Trump’s second inauguration, the Tesla CEO addressed the controversy. Musk made the gesture after an impassioned speech about sending humans to Mars and planting an American flag on the Red Planet. He fired his right arm and thumped his chest before repeating the gesture toward the US flag, which quickly drew comparisons to historical salutes, sparking outrage online.

The accusation gained traction on social media, with critics labeling the gesture as a “Sieg Heil.” CNN anchor Kasie Hunt remarked that the gesture was “evocative of things that we have seen through history.” However, the Anti-Defamation League defended Musk, stating it appeared to be an awkward moment of enthusiasm rather than a Nazi salute, urging people to extend grace amid the tense political climate.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sharply criticized the ADL’s defense, calling the gesture a “Heil Hitler salute” and questioning the League’s credibility. Musk responded by dismissing the criticism, accusing Ocasio-Cortez of “losing her marbles.” He also expressed frustration with the repeated use of Nazi references in political discourse, arguing that such accusations have lost their impact.

The controversy has sparked heated debates, with some defending Musk’s intentions, while others remain skeptical about the gesture’s meaning.