When fascists rear their heads, we are presented with a choice: to stand against them or cower before them. Over the past several weeks, much of the country has already made its decision. On Jan. 20, Elon Musk showed the world what he truly stands for, performing two Nazi salutes at a post-inauguration rally for Donald Trump. This was an opportunity for journalists to state the obvious — but unfortunately, few chose to do so.
Publications like The Washington Post capitulate to Musk by refusing to actively call him out for his actions, using loose, flowery language to sugarcoat the matter. Rather than decry Musk’s Nazi salute, journalists described it as a “controversial gesture.” Instead of reporting it as a white supremacist expression, writers like Ellie Silverman described it as a matter of interpretation.
This journalistic cowardice is far from a novel phenomenon in the U.S. The passive, noncommittal tone of American press outlets historically pervades their coverage of human rights violations—from domestic reports on police brutality to reports on war crimes and crimes against humanity overseas. While journalists across the world cover the issue with clarity and honesty, American media eschews direct criticism of Musk’s behavior—and all the while, his support base has been abuzz.
Many supporters celebrate his actions, embracing the gesture of white supremacy. Some, however, choose to debate and outright deny it. The false claim that Musk performed a “Roman salute” is particularly common. This is a feat of pedantry which, even if it were true, changes nothing about his message. Others, however, flaunt a different flavor of nonsense.
The ADL, an organization that proclaims itself to be a watchdog against antisemitism, has declared fealty to Musk, arguing that his Nazi salute constitutes a mere “awkward gesture.” If they truly cared about antisemitism or any other form of bigotry, the ADL would call Musk out for his track record of antisemitism and white supremacist behavior. Instead, they sit at Musk’s feet like a lapdog, continuing their history of cozying up to right-wing demagogues whose support for Israel matches theirs.
Regardless of which point of contention Musk’s supporters hold, debates like these are ultimately semantic. They offer zero commentary beyond the misconception that Nazi salutes can be semiotically interpreted. However, despite their triviality, the attempts to whitewash Musk’s behavior do serve a tangible purpose: offering him further latitude to advance his goals without pushback.
When we analyze overt displays of fascism with even a modicum of subjectivity, the conversation around them becomes one of cyclical reinterpretation rather than the nature of the problem itself. In lieu of meaningful discussions on what to do about fascism, we shift the goalpost in favor of the fascists themselves, giving them leeway to act without so much as an acknowledgement of their actions, let alone repercussions. Though he receives the benefit of the doubt, Musk is adamant in showing us who he is.
After his acquisition and rebranding of X in 2022, Musk has continually been a spokesperson for the alt-right, emboldening neo-Nazis and censoring journalists who stand up to him. As an outspoken supporter of the German AfD party, Musk continually peddles xenophobic, white nationalist rhetoric, decrying “multiculturalism” and urging the German far-right to move beyond “past guilt.” There is no ambiguity to his views nor subjectivity in his actions. The world’s richest man is a white supremacist, and every minute spent denying that fact is a minute donated to him.
While we debate the optics and timing of Musk’s Nazi salute, he and his collaborators continue to act with impunity. As I write this article, the Trump administration is advancing its attacks on immigrants, refugees, Black Americans, Muslims and the LGBTQ+ community — all while large-scale opposition remains in its infancy. We have no other choice but to confront reality head-on, lest we waste more time with our heads in the sand.
The moment we let people debate the truth of Nazi salutes is the moment we surrender to those who perform them. If we cannot do so much as call out fascism when it manifests, then we have eliminated all hope of organized resistance against it.
