The Anti-Defamation League, a renowned organization dedicated to monitoring antisemitism and advocating for civil rights, is encountering criticism after offering support for billionaire advisor Elon Musk shortly following the circulation of a video depicting him making a gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute on social media platforms.
Musk performed the gesture while addressing an audience at Capital One Arena in Washington on Monday, where he expressed admiration for Donald Trump’s inauguration. Initially, he made the gesture to show appreciation to Trump supporters, and then, after turning to face the crowd behind him, he repeated it.
This action quickly sparked online associations with a Nazi salute.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was one of the few voices defending Musk, requesting that he be given the “benefit of the doubt.”
“It appears that @elonmusk made an awkward motion driven by enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, although we acknowledge that emotions are high,” the organization stated in a post on X, the social media platform Musk acquired for $44 billion in 2022.
“In this moment, we should extend some grace to each other, possibly even the benefit of the doubt, and take a moment to breathe. This marks a fresh start. Let’s aspire for healing and strive for unity in the coming months and years.”
Musk, for his part, acknowledged the organization with a brief thank you message accompanied by a crying/laughing emoji.
Musk’s relationship with the ADL has been contentious, as they have publicly criticized him regarding hate speech policies on his social media site, X. In 2023, Musk countered by filing a lawsuit against the ADL, a move that CEO Jonathan Greenblatt characterized as “outrageously dangerous and extremely irresponsible.”
Many were not satisfied with the ADL’s defense of Musk on Monday.
Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned the ADL for, as she articulated, “justifying a Heil Hitler salute that was executed and reiterated for clarity. People can officially cease regarding you as a credible source for information now. You are aligned with them. Thank you for making that abundantly clear.”
In response to her statement, Musk remarked that Ocasio-Cortez “has reached Stage 5 [Trump Derangement Syndrome] – completely unhinged” and alleged that “she has entirely lost her marbles.”
Mehdi Hassan, the founder and editor-in-chief of Zeteo News, also expressed his disapproval.
Trump has been previously likened to Hitler. In October of the previous year, sources informed The Atlantic that Trump remarked, “I want the kind of generals Hitler had. Those who were unwaveringly loyal to him, who executed orders without question.”
Simultaneously, just hours after supporting Trump’s wealthiest ally, the ADL “unequivocally” condemned the newly inaugurated president for granting pardons to nearly all individuals charged with crimes connected to the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
“This choice undermines accountability & poses a risk of empowering violent extremists and other insurrectionists,” the organization declared, linking to their own studies regarding the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers—two far-right groups whose leaders were convicted due to their involvement in the assault.
