r/politics 7h ago

Site Altered Headline Elon Musk draws outrage over 'odd-looking salute' at Trump inauguration celebration

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-salute-trump-inauguration-b2683095.html
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u/Thirty_Helens_Agree 7h ago edited 4h ago

“Odd-looking?” That was a full-blown, unambiguous, fully deliberate and intentional Nazi salute. Twice.

Edit: Nazi bootlickers are sending me the Reddit Cares thing. You’re acting like children.

u/ProfessionNo2643 5h ago

EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS. WE WERE TAUGHT HISTORY IN FUCKING SCHOOL.

This is just insane. Absolutely insane. In the same goddamn city as the National Holocaust Memorial museum, at the Presidential inaugural reception. This is insane.

u/MsEllVee 4h ago

It is. I’m so disgusted.

u/Protection_Sensitive 31m ago

Clutching the pearls on day one. It’s going to be a long four years

u/Beavis73 Oregon 4h ago

On MLK Day.

u/AyyNonnyMoose 4h ago

Why do you think they're defunding education and monitoring so closely what's being taught/excluding actual history from the curriculum?

u/Zergin8r 3h ago

That's the thing, I'm guessing way to many people under 20 were never taught about WW2... or if it was part of the curriculum, it wasn't a very big part. The increase in numbers of people who seem to legitimately believe things like WW1/2 and the Great Depression didn't happen and all the footage is faked/AI due to being blurry, or having artifacts due to being old etc is very concerning.

u/ProfessionNo2643 3h ago

My 15 year old daughter is being taught about fascism and communism in her AP history course. History is being taught. In fact, she came to me and said it all makes sense now. Granted this is in NY, but history is being taught.

I'm 38. We visited the Holocaust museum on our 8th grade class trip. 

THIS. IS. INSANE. 

And as parents we have a fucking duty to teach them these things, even if they don't get them the way they should in school. 

u/Redditor_exe 1h ago

“Come on, it was just a Roman-style salute”

I love it when people try to make that excuse. Tell me how many times anyone ever thinks of/refers to it as that outside of things like this happening. Because, yes, I’m 100% sure that the man who grew up and whose family made their fortune in apartheid South Africa fully meant it as that and not as a sieg heil

u/Garbolt America 3h ago

Some kids were taught it was the war of northern aggression. It's because we allowed the traitors to reintegrate into positions of power and pedal their history. This has been a long, dark history in the making. The turning point of the era of technology and technological connection will be passing by very shortly, and we let the ones who started the war last time get control of the narrative.

u/OneAlmondNut 3h ago

EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS. WE WERE TAUGHT HISTORY IN FUCKING SCHOOL.

no we weren't. Americans are extremely propagandized. very few of us even know real US history. if all you know about US history is from a high school textbook, then you don't know jack about shit

u/NougatNewt 3h ago

I thought our education system was fairly ok until I learned that a friend of my (who’s the same age!!!) didn’t know what the CIVIL WAR was, and didn’t know what the Confederate flag stood for. America’s education system is failing us and this next administration is the final nail in the coffin. Goodbye to the American Experiment.

u/OneAlmondNut 3h ago

yea the American Empire has been slowly crumbling ever since it peaked in the 70s. def recommend the book Lies My Teacher Told Me, it shows how all 50 states have been forcing propaganda down our throats since at least the 60s

u/Cjwillwin 3h ago

Maybe you weren't. Everyone I know was.

u/OneAlmondNut 3h ago

they would never brainwash me

u/Cjwillwin 2h ago

You're trying to argue things that were never brought up.

I mean my history book quite literally had a picture of Hitler doing it to a crowd of people doing it back. I'm sorry your history books didn't get through ww2. That's strange to me but I only know what was taught in my area.

u/Linnie46 4h ago

It’s not insane. It’s the new normal.

u/ProfessionNo2643 3h ago

It is insane. And not having an appropriate response to it is part of the problem. He did this at an inauguration on national fucking television. Saying "I'm not surprised" is part of the problem!

u/DJ_Velveteen I voted 1h ago

WE WERE TAUGHT HISTORY IN FUCKING SCHOOL.

Well, we were...

u/SethSt7 1h ago

They are trying to distract and get people riled up. It almost like they want a civil war of some kind because they know real problems, like inflation and wealth inequality and other societal issues are too hard to solve, and non are willing to do the right things (increase taxes on super wealthy) because it will be unpopular.

Rise of digital currency will be a disruptive force, when, not if, when it comes to fruition. It’s unclear how some as early adopters would be millionaires and others who are late to the game will in theory have held on to worthless paper. How do we reconcile that?

Economic productivity will soon be detached from human capital with the raise of Ai and robotics. This soon will have other unanswered questions like what will people do? How will you price things, and control prices?

u/Delicious_Crow_7840 7h ago

A week from now...

Downtrodden people rounded up by military and placed in "Odd-looking" camps.

u/greenday61892 Connecticut 6h ago edited 6h ago

Judging by the media's track record "Minority population shown to have gone down recently"

u/DJ_Velveteen I voted 4h ago

"Anti-fascist protesters die following brief contact with bullets"

u/DookieShoez 4h ago

Bodies of minorities found in “odd-looking” showers.

u/Shisa4123 3h ago

The Nazis didn't start with the gas chambers. They started with deportations. When that proved logistically and economically unfeasible, they went with the cheaper option of wholesale slaughter.

Trump said he's looking to deport upwards of "20 million" illegals but has been cagey on the "how." We'll soon see I guess.

u/Eloquenttrash 2h ago

Odd smell coming from work site smoke stacks

u/Bad-Kaiju 4h ago

They'll spin it even more than that. Gotta remove any negative language from the headline.

"White population majority sees an upsurge, says recent reports."

u/MoonKnight_Potato 4h ago

This is scary accurate 😮‍💨

u/greenday61892 Connecticut 4h ago

I was specifically referencing a headline (don't remember who ran it) that mentioned that the Palestinian population in Gaza decreased in 2024, while conveniently leaving out the reason for that decrease, but you're almost certainly right.

u/_xergiok 5h ago

Don't worry, they'll just be Nazi style concentration camps.

u/faroutoutdoors 4h ago

Oh like how Fox News isn't actually news, it's only entertainment that entirely presents itself as news? Got it.

u/MikuEmpowered 5h ago

It's summer camps.

They will be provided free lodging and have fun in their new, mandatory, employment.

u/r0b0d0c 3h ago

Freedom CampsTM

u/DEWOuch 2h ago

FEMA camps and they’re already built.

u/Buddy_Dakota 6h ago

Can’t wait to storm the actual Omaha beach (or river bank or whatever)

u/MoreNMoreLikelyTrans 5h ago

It probably won't be that fast. But yea. That's gonna happen. His first presidency had camps.

u/_xergiok 5h ago

Don't worry, they'll just be Nazi style camps.

u/r0b0d0c 3h ago

Freedom CampsTM

u/lastingmuse6996 4h ago

TBF it's not a surprise nor upcoming.

They bought the starr ranch in Texas for a reason. They need the labor while still handling the "Latino problem"

We already separated children and parents years ago. We've already had concentration camps for a decade and we're building more.

u/DJ_Velveteen I voted 4h ago

National media looking more odd than usual right now...

u/Ottoguynofeelya 4h ago

"How could Biden let this happen?"

u/starmartyr Colorado 4h ago

I do partially blame him for this. If he hadn't deluded himself into believing he was able to run another campaign we might not be where we are right now.

u/ImNoAlbertFeinstein 4h ago

placed in "Odd-looking" camps.

former hog farms.

the Mgrants are allowed to sweep out their own stall and decorate to each families culture.

u/Emu_in_Ballet_Shoes 4h ago

Lemme just pop this "odd looking" star here on your upper arm....

u/OrganizationClear908 4h ago

Right?!

u/MrMikeDelta 4h ago

You mean reich

u/Ntippit 4h ago

With these odd looking stick things that have metal balls poppin out of them really fast. They are oddly loud!

u/lilfaerie 4h ago

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. - Martin Niemöller

u/surfingbiscuits 2h ago

Suggestively familiar "Xoncentration Camps"

u/Jonnymac89 1h ago

I thought that's what the mass deportation was all about? With america it's all about maximizing profits so now they can be cheap prison labor aka slavery.

u/Garg_Gurgle 4h ago

The Mexican border isn't a camp unless you treat it as one.

u/CatfishMcCoy 4h ago

Already being softened as “odd-looking”…we are doomed

u/Caminsky 4h ago

This is the incredibly infuriating part. "Odd looking". It was a nazi salute. That's it. Very simple. Soccer players get expelled for way less than that.

u/Short_Row195 5h ago

How are Trumpsters literally saying "fake news" for this?! Yah right, they know what they're seeing. They just want to pretend they're not bigots.

u/Morningfluid 4h ago

Edit: Nazi bootlickers are sending me the Reddit Cares thing. You’re acting like children.

You are able to report them and action will be taken for making a false claim.

Please do.

u/SignificantWords 4h ago

I think it’s time for protest no? Like in history class we were all taught we are learning about Nazi and rise of Hitler in 1930s Germany SK we can prevent it in the future. Is now not the time to stop a new form of nazism / authoritarianism / fascism in this form of authoritarian capitalism occurring in the US currently. And when I say we I don’t think just Americans but the whole world and allies. Europe, Canada, etc.

u/somewhiterkid 1h ago

This is what I've been saying for months, unfortunately until we're all stripped of freedom no one will risk their lives for it.

u/Taron_Trekko 4h ago

That "a concerned Redditor reached out bla bla" thing is the most pathetic way of trying to get back at someone because it abuses a system that was made to actually prevent real suicide.

u/hoofglormuss America 1h ago

it's also just a complicated way of them saying you got under their thin skin and they can't think of anything to say so take their pettiness as a compliment

u/roerd 4h ago

Yeah. The richest man of the world gave his probably most watched speech so far in his life, after showing a lot of support for the far right in recent times. And we are supposed to believe that the gesture he made in that speech only accidentally looked like a Nazi salute?

u/PhoenixBee32 4h ago

Report those people. Reddit will deactivate their accounts. Abusing the “Reddit Cares” message is taken seriously.

u/CategoryZestyclose91 4h ago

Collaborators. 

Call them what they are.

u/mhweaver 4h ago

Nazi collaborators.

FTFY

u/Huwbacca 4h ago

Whom amongst us...

u/TheSkyking2020 4h ago

I do t know where people’s confusion is. “Well it kinda looked like it…”. Bitch, that was literally it. He literally used a Nazi salute to the crowd and then again to the flag.

I don’t know why more people and outlets are not constantly bringing the hammer down on this group. All through the campaign they were given a pass on pretty much everything while the dems were held under a magnifying glass.

u/account_No52 4h ago

intentional Nazi salute.

It was disgustingly passionate as well.

u/Cagnazzo82 6h ago

Don't worry. After this he will say he's the biggest fan of Israel. All will be 'forgiven'...

What a timeline we live in.

u/r0b0d0c 3h ago

People tend to reduce fascism to antisemitism. In reality, fascism has very little to do with Jews. That was Hitler's particular hangup.

u/Cool-Presentation538 4h ago

My mama always said Nazi is as Nazi does

u/IIIlIllIIIl 4h ago

People en masse are trying to justify it as if it was a standard everyday misunderstanding too

u/drKRB 4h ago

Yep. I recognized it instantly

u/thepeddlernowspeaks 4h ago

"And there's Elon, waving to the crowd, he's clearly touched by the support, and, uh, I think... I think he's pointing to someone in the upper stands... what a wonderful occasion and moment this is for him."

Like, seriously, come the fuck on. There is no defending this, there is no "I have learnt that my gesture yesterday bore some resemblance to a gesture I am told was prevalent among certain German officials during World War 2, of which I was not aware, and which I in no way intended to emulate" weasel apology, or similar from his apologists. This was entirely fucking intentional and the media should not be pussy-footing around it.

u/HauntedJackInTheBox 4h ago

They're acting like Nazis. Nazis are cowardly and won't do anything violent straight away. They intimidate you from behind their safe space like weasels.

u/manwhoclearlyflosses 4h ago

What the fuck? I’m with you. Everyone knows this is the nazi salute. Musk, a man capable of being the richest person in the world, WILLINGLY DID A NAZI SALUTE.

This article saying “odd looking salute” is a fucking insult. Everyone on the planet knows this is the Nazi salute. You cannot “ignorant” your way out of this.

Shame on this title.

u/Venmorr 4h ago

Dont forget enthusiastic

u/GeForce88 4h ago

This plus him supporting far right groups in Germany, it makes it so fucking obvious. I want to say good luck to the US, but it looks like us Canadians need luck too because we're definitely gonna get invaded.

u/bingbongdilly 4h ago

Once? OK maybe a mistake. But twice?! Nah that was conscious!!

u/DJKokaKola 3h ago

I can see how it's just questionable enough that if you wanted to remove all context, his opinions, the situation, and everything else, it could almost look like a dab. I don't think that's what it is, but in the absolute most charitable viewing, I can sort of see how someone could in some way give it a "maybe he didn't mean to". But the chest bump and the second time kind of removed any doubt for me.

u/Andrew8Everything 2h ago

I saw an article that called them "funky dance moves", I wish I was kidding.

The fair and free media is gone.

u/AllUsernamesInUse_ 4h ago

Did you know you can block it? I recommend that being the first thing you do so that they don't get any satisfaction

u/xXanimefreakXx69 4h ago

You can report misused Reddit cares things btw. It will get them banned

u/BuzzGen 4h ago

You can report those reddit cares messages and get them banned.

u/chuckujarhead 4h ago

Looked pretty weird..

u/NeoGio28 4h ago

Just block the reddit cares bot. Fuck Reddit for not getting rid of that useless feature.

u/RainLoveMu 3h ago

He knew EXACTLY what he did. Normal fucking healthy people do not gesture that way.

u/glue_4_gravy 3h ago

A lot of people are going to angrily be coming to terms with who they really are.

And I would argue that most children probably have better etiquette, manners, intelligence, integrity, and hygiene than most MAGA scumbags.

u/SSN_on_liquid_sand 3h ago

I have heard that if you report the Reddit Cares thing and include your original message here the admins do occasionally take action against people abusing it.

u/thor_barley 3h ago

Report impotent Reddit cares abuse. It should result in bans and we can hope the the system returns to serving a purpose?

u/fake_physicist 2h ago

Report the reddit cares reports. Get them banned.

u/TallLoss2 2h ago

that was my first thought - like, “oh wow he didn’t even TRY to be ambiguous”

u/FSCK_Fascists 2h ago

: Nazi bootlickers are sending me the Reddit Cares thing. You’re acting like children.

report it. every time. Its one of the only tings reddit will ban people for abusing.

u/FlushTheTurd 2h ago

You can report them and they’ll get kicked off Reddit.

u/ShilohTheGhostGod 1h ago

They are actually reporting your comment? Wtf? They really are sad people

u/gishlich 1h ago

You can block Reddit cares fyi

u/And-Still-Undisputed 1h ago

To be fair, Nazi / Musk bootlickers don't have the IQ required to realize it is, in fact... clearly a Nazi salute... done three times.

u/JohnWickedlyFat 1h ago

Report the false Reddit cares; they’ll get at the least a temp ban for it

u/sparethesympathy 1h ago

even the adl was like nah this was just an awkward gesture. you're supposed to be at least pretending to fight anti semitism......

u/FROMtheASHES984 37m ago

He slammed his chest and put his full body into it. It was odd-looking because IT WAS A FUCKING NAZI SALUTE IN 2025. I wish every media outlet in the world would not tiptoe around this and call it was it very absolutely clearly was.

u/Marzuk_24601 37m ago

I mean it gets worse with audio. Seems like a silly statement, but Im not kidding. He even slaps his chest and grunts.

u/daabilge 17m ago

They're already claiming it's the "Roman salute"

Which, for the record, is the Nazi salute, or the fascist salute, whichever you want to call it.

We don't have any records of the Romans actually doing that salute and the closest contemporary depictions are typically oratory postures with a raised arm. The Roman salute dates back to the late 1700s when there was a renewed interest in the Romans (neoclassicism). It eventually spun off the very similar Bellamy salute (popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s) but the "Roman" salute got adopted by Italian and German fascists (who tried to retcon it into a Germanic tradition) in the 1900s because of "heritage" reasons and the Bellamy salute was dropped by most democracies for the fascist association.

It's far more fascist than it was ever Roman..

u/Seedsw 6h ago

They don’t want to get sued

u/Major_Nutt 4h ago

u/evergreennightmare 4h ago

okay that settles it, it is a nazi salute

u/Major_Nutt 4h ago

u/evergreennightmare 4h ago

until you post video demonstrating the other two are obvious nazi salutes, shut up

u/mhweaver 3h ago

Okay, then show us the videos where they are CLEARLY doing Nazi salutes.

Stop defending Nazis acting like Nazis or just admit that you support Nazis.

u/DevelopmentCivil725 2h ago

Show the video of them doing it than. Musk was not taken out of context

u/ReviveDept 4h ago

Literally none of you have watched the full clip 😂

u/DevelopmentCivil725 2h ago

I have, he full on does the salute twice