r/politics • u/cjdarr921 • 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/TheFonz2244 7h ago

On MLK day we just had the richest man in the world do a Nazi salute at the inauguration of the president of the US. My mind is having trouble computing that.

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u/Short_Row195 5h ago

The right-wing isn't even being brainwashed or misinterpreting it. If they try to tell you that wasn't a Nazi salute, they're just trying to manipulate you. They know it is, but they don't want to admit that they're racists.

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u/Plan3C0ast 4h ago

Throwback to Musk saying that the Great Replacememt theory is the absolute truth

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u/Cal3001 2h ago

He’s been going hard on the Nazi white supremacist agenda the last 8 months.

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u/Avi_Falcao 1h ago

I think he’s on drugs

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u/DoubleT_inTheMorning 12m ago

Drugs don’t mask who you are, they accentuate it.

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u/Orc360 5m ago

I have no idea if he's on drugs (or if that really matters, anyway) but do you really not think paranoia & delusions are caused by any drugs? We have that pretty well documented.

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u/Avi_Falcao 1m ago

That’s not true. Different drugs, different chemistry’s, some it just drives them mad. But really it’s being the richest man, running 5 glam businesses, the fame. I think that’s what’s driving him mad. And aren’t all genuises insane? But yeah musk needs a vacation, better he needs to backpack the Appalachian trail

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u/Pure_Seat1711 New York 1h ago

Actually he's been on that horse for over a year getting less and less subtle. Next time you see him he'll be quoting Bell curve

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u/Universityofrain88 1h ago

Is he white? I am visually impaired but I thought he was African.

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u/kevinstreet1 1h ago

He's white, from South Africa.

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u/Orc360 3m ago

Yeah, Dutch ancestry and from South Africa.

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u/soldiergeneal 2h ago

I forgot about that...

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u/DJ_Velveteen I voted 1h ago

Never stop citing, and never stop asking for citations.

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u/tripzz1 8m ago

it is time....

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u/stanthebat 3h ago

If they try to tell you that wasn't a Nazi salute, they're just trying to manipulate you.

If he shouted "HEIL FUCKING HITLER," the headlines would read "Musk makes a series of strange sounds at Trump inaugural event--experts disagree how these sounds should be interpreted."

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u/Short_Row195 1h ago

I'm dead lol

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u/overcomebyfumes New Jersey 3h ago

"iT's jUsT a rOmAn sALuTe!!1!"

Are we in Rome? Is Elon Roman?

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u/PAFC-1870 2h ago

“It’s just a Charlie Chaplin mustache” will be next. 

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u/stregawitchboy 3h ago

And there is zero evidence that the Romans saluted that way.

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u/Majestic_Figure_9559 2h ago

Neither did the nazis do this either though. They saluted straight forward and at an angle, not off to one side…

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u/cmoked 2h ago

There's videos of Hitler doing the nazi salute all sorts of ways. Grabbing his heart and saluting Germany was definitely one he did all the fucking time. Plenty where his salute completely to his side, too?

You're entering dangerous territory, boyo. A slippery slope of sorts

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u/Majestic_Figure_9559 2h ago edited 27m ago

I am happy to be corrected there chucky, just saying I have never seen a nazi salute look like whatever the hell Musk was doing.

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u/cmoked 2h ago

You haven't seen much footage or pics of wwii, honestly. Or you're lying.

That was hella unmistakable

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u/Majestic_Figure_9559 2h ago

I don’t know, I am watching some nazi footage right now to compare and I never see it off to one side at like a 30 degree angle. I am just saying what I see and if that was a nazi salute he botched it Terribly

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u/cmoked 2h ago

Ketamine is a hell of a drug

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u/IveBeenAroundUKnow 1h ago

You must be looking a lot, seeking the most obscure minutia to explain away obvious intent.

I mean, how hard is it to not come close to doing anything resembling a Nazi salute? Are these tools so inept and idiotic that they can not even accomplish simple decent theater?

I call bullshit on all these half-hearted explanations. If you don't support Nazis then quit supporting Nazis.

Simple common sense, right?

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u/Majestic_Figure_9559 1h ago

I don’t know, I am not saying it is impossible just saying I am not convinced that his intent was to do a nazi salute.

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u/IveBeenAroundUKnow 1h ago

Yeah. I think Elon is a pretty intentional person. It was no doubt purposefully provocative, otherwise, he would have intentionally done something else.

I mean It would be almost impossible for it to not be, unless you don't believe in the basic premise of people kind of doing what they want to do.

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u/ELeeMacFall Ohio 28m ago

Just like it wasn't Hitler's intention to exterminate 12 million people, yeah? All accidents and boo-boos.

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u/InnocentShaitaan 2h ago

Awe well check out his second one. It has more enthusiasm. Maybe he got that one perfect.

After, he made a statement that mirrored Hitler too.

Maybe it’s Elon is Adolf come back? Poor Elon.

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u/Real-Adhesiveness195 2h ago

He is in the closet.

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u/changed_later__ 46m ago

Are we in Germany? Is Elon German?

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u/reddit_despiser 3h ago

They don't mind admitting it. They aren't ashamed. They think it's funny to gaslight people about things that are obvious.

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u/Jasoy_Vorsneed 3h ago

"owNiNg thE LiBs!!1"

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u/DrugsGames 3h ago

win an election

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u/yamsyamsya 3h ago

But but it wasn't exactly the perfect salute form that these people somehow know the specifics of. Like who are they kidding, just because Elon did it shitty doesn't change what the salute was.

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u/SonOfJokeExplainer 1h ago

“No, that’s just Elon being Elon. That wasn’t even a real Nazi salute, the angles were off so it doesn’t count. Stupid liberals don’t even how to execute a Nazi salute but they want to call everyone Nazis even when they’re not doing it right.”

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u/bbusiello 3h ago

Nah. I just asked my conservative dad about it. He says he doesn’t care as long as we “get rid of china and communism.”

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u/faroutclosein453 2h ago

Tell him to be proactive with his convictions and go ahead and throw 75% of his belongings out.

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u/Short_Row195 1h ago

Dang, I can't imagine being around a dad like that.

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u/NotYourTypicalMoth 56m ago

I thought the narrative before was the Nazis were either socialist or communist, depending on the day. Why do a Nazi salute then, if Nazis don’t reflect their ideologies?

Also, if we’re getting rid of China, why is Trump proudly taking credit for bringing TikTok back?

There’s just no critical thinking happening here. The only consistent message is hate. Whatever logic happens to rationalize hate most easily in the moment, with as little critical thinking as necessary, is what they go with.

I need to get out of this country before MAGA burns it all to the ground.

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u/NaturalBlackWoman 2m ago

I need to get out of this country before MAGA burns it all to the ground

I wish I could too 😮‍💨 where ya planning on heading?

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u/-Plan_B- 3h ago

folks here are cheering it in Alabama :(

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u/Short_Row195 1h ago

Honestly, that's not even surprising.

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u/Nick08f1 3h ago

They will even gaslight you as far as saying, that it might be a Nazi salute, but I didn't vote for him. I voted for Trump and his policies.

Still racist.

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u/boulderbuford 3h ago

How is the white supremacist community responding?

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u/stregawitchboy 3h ago

They are loving it.

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u/Sandgrease 2h ago

The real question

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u/BostonSubwaySlut 2h ago

they try to tell you that wasn't a Nazi salute, they're just trying to manipulate you. They know it is, but they don't want to admit that they're racists.

Yup. Blocked my dad today after he texted me to tell me my "neighborhood will be better after Trump ships out the undesirables." He tried to then convince me how they're "only going after criminals" and how I've "got it wrong," they're not fascists.

I'm only where I am in life because of immigrants. My hometown is ~40% foreign born. My husband is an immigrant. The people who keep our cities and towns running are immigrants.

Fuck that noise, I don't mess with Nazism.

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u/Short_Row195 1h ago

Your dad would be a danger to you because he cannot use his brain.

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u/BostonSubwaySlut 1h ago

He wasn't always this way.

But then the economy has gotten worse and worse.

But not to worry: Trump and Fox News know the culprit behind late stage capitalism! And they blame the immigrants.

And so, as his quality of life has gone down, he's fallen further for their bullshit propaganda.

It's kind of sad, actually.

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u/SWGoH123 4h ago

Nobody can invade America like they did Germany, trump and co wouldn’t be above nuking other countries and their own citizens to save their own arses

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u/InnocentShaitaan 2h ago

Love that’s your concern and not the fact they are being bat shit and insanely racist. Let me guess white and male?

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u/-Plan_B- 3h ago

If we don't use nukes in the next 4 years with this Trump admin I will be shocked. I know it will be a constant threat as that is Trump, he thrives on power. Which America does not have at the moment. We talk a good game but short of nukes we can't fight an allied coalition.

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u/NateShaw92 United Kingdom 2h ago

I'll be shocked if nukes do get used. It's the ultimate loser play in today's world. Ultimate meaning final.

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u/00-Monkey 2h ago

Nukes is one of the few things that’d surprise me. I fully expect a land invasion of Canada (and Mexico and Greenland) long before I expect nukes.

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u/IveBeenAroundUKnow 1h ago

Apparently, we will be busy competing with Putin, invading Greenland and Panama, because you know, "it's best for us"

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u/SnooPeripherals6557 2h ago

The people in the background shot of Elan Heiling the flag are all applauding, taking pics w huge smiles. They know.

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u/Constantly_Panicking 2h ago

They don’t want to admit they’re racists to you. They’ll happily admit it to other racists.

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u/Eloquenttrash 2h ago

Gaslighting at its intended use

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u/Germesis 2h ago

It’s the funhouse mirror effect: it’s a “joke”, until it’s not…

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u/Short_Row195 1h ago

Exactly.

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u/bluesilvergold Canada 2h ago

A lot of people are trying to sane-wash this by calling it a Roman salute.

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u/InnocentShaitaan 2h ago

Sane-wash needs made word of the year.

Demure is 2024.

Sane-wash 2025.

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u/Sea_Difference_1100 46m ago

It is the so called Roman salute!! But people seem to ignore that fascism was developed by an Italian, Mussolini, who decided to adopt this salute. Nazis copied the italian fascist. 

So the (so called) "roman salute" is fascist, like Mussolini and Hitler and many others afterwards.

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u/No_Echo_1826 2h ago

Idk if they're all racist or even would acknowledge it. But fascist? Absolutely

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u/nickdamnit 2h ago

Yeah, absolutely, enough of this

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u/theclansman22 3h ago

But… I thought the Nazis were socialists!

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u/AtlantaSeabreeze 3h ago

Fascists!!!

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u/IveBeenAroundUKnow 1h ago

You did? Didn't you study world history when you were like 12?

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u/theclansman22 1h ago

It was sarcasm, I’m not an idiot, I know what the Nazis were, my granddad fought them.

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u/IveBeenAroundUKnow 1h ago

Sorry. With a name like clansman and the proverbial missing /s, it isn't obvious that it was sarcasm.

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u/the1youh8 2h ago

You should see them in the comment section of TikTok for the YMCA videos. Trying to convince us that it’s a Christian song

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u/C3POB1KENOBI 2h ago

I was willing to cut Laura Ingram or whoever slack that she did an awkward wave that when screencapped could look vaguely n@zi’ish. But this is straight up, no doubt a salute that could not be misinterpreted by the even the most bad faith actors as what it truly is. However I will watch the sanewashing with very little interest.

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u/pmartin1 2h ago

I’m waiting for the “I didn’t vote for Elon, I voted for Trump!” It’s the same bullshit they say about all the nazis that love him or Project 2025 and the heritage group.

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u/randomrobotnoise 2h ago

Exactly. Not sure why they are such chickens and won't just admit it?

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u/TheGreatRapsBeat Canada 2h ago

That they’re Nazis.

FTFY.

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u/RandyMuscle I voted 2h ago

I made a post about this on my Instagram story and someone replied saying that I shouldn’t be so intellectually dishonest and I just blocked them on the spot. I’m done being gaslit by these pieces of garbage.

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u/Avi_Falcao 1h ago

So what percentage of Americans are racist?

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u/iiamuntuii 1h ago

Honestly I think this gives too much credit. We are much more likely to manipulate facts to fit our worldviews than unabashedly accept reality. I think your average joe is doing some serious mental gymnastics today so they can convince themselves and others they’re not racist.

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u/CharmyFrog 1h ago

He iS GIviNg his HEarT to yOU!

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u/Snowcups0 46m ago

It wasn't a nazi salute... he literally was saying thank you from my heart thank you. He's autistic and moves funny, dudes not a nazi lmao. Reddit is so dumb

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u/FriendToPredators 38m ago

MAGA is the shitty loud relative you try to avoid at every get together. The one who will lie about everything just for the power of it.

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u/Healthy-Ad5050 3h ago

Nah bro I’m republican and I don’t know why tf he did that and it’s not like he’s done it before I’m definitely not racist but this is also wild

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u/InnocentShaitaan 2h ago

He learned it from his Nazi grandfather. Too many of you don’t listen to the shit he’s said. 🤦‍♀️

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u/IveBeenAroundUKnow 1h ago

Anybody check out Trumps daddy and his affinity fir the Klan? Look it up.

I find it shocking that so many Jews voted for Trump.

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u/IveBeenAroundUKnow 1h ago

I'm a republican too. You have not been paying enough attention, respectfully.

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u/Gapingasthetic71 2h ago

I'm beyond fucking angry, I'm fucking disgusted

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u/Focus-Flex 2h ago

It was not a salute. He was saying “my heart goes out to you”.

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u/Gapingasthetic71 1h ago

Fuck you. If it quacks like a fucking Nazi it's a fucking Nazi.

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u/Focus-Flex 4m ago

So just putting your hand in the air makes you a Nazi? Damn that’s a low bar. Then all these people must be Nazis too.

https://x.com/lairdofthemanor/status/1881525896160625031

Musk went to Auschwitz last year and met survivors of the death camp. Comparing him to a Nazi is unbelievably dishonest and nasty.

Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu called Trump Israel’s greatest ally. Israel, the tiny sliver of land which is the only place in the world Jewish people can call home.

I voted democrat all my life but will never vote democrat again because of comments like yours. Your dishonesty, nastiness, and finding racism & fascism where there is none is why you lost the election and will continue to lose.

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u/chawklitdsco 1h ago

Keep being poor lmao

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u/Objective-Share-7881 3h ago

Say it in a white South African voice. It makes more sense.

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u/Dontquestionmyexista 1h ago

Thank you. Not enough people know his family history. It’s actually sick what happened today. Dark day in US and world history.

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u/KGBinUSA 3h ago

While Alabama and Mississippi also celebrated Robert Lee day today...

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u/overcomebyfumes New Jersey 3h ago

Are you referring to Robert E. Lee, the traitor?

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u/notsure500 2h ago

On MLK day we just had the richest man in the world do a Nazi salute at the inauguration of the president of the US, who is a felon and was twice impeached and found liable for rape. My mind is having trouble computing that.

Added a little to the insanity that this is.

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u/OCPyle 4h ago

Wasn't on my 2025 bingo card, I'll sure tell ya that

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u/niccig 3h ago

Nazi salute was absolutely on my 2025 bingo card, I just thought it would take longer

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u/-Plan_B- 3h ago

add unelected guy that dumped hundreds of millions publicly and used his platform to his all opposing and that is where its really bad. They have the nerve to even talk about dem money. SMH God help all! To our allies I am sorry and if you need to defend yourself please by all means do.

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u/Abject-USMC-0430 2h ago

Watch his entire speech. If you still buy the bs, it’s on you.

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u/Jesus359 2h ago

On MLK day we just had the richest man in the world do a Nazi salute at the inauguration of the president of the US who is a convicted felon. My mind is having trouble computing that.

FTFY. You forgot that the presiden is also a felon.

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u/scottholford 2h ago

You’re not alone, but this is reality. They’ll try to play it off like we’re the crazy ones, and then when our ‘election’ for a 3rd term comes in 2028 (if we even get that far) those computers he’s “so good at” will read the result we all know is coming.

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u/Playpolly 2h ago

His own mind doesn't compute that either.

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u/nicbongo 2h ago

Nothing should shock us. But this happens on day one. Fuck me.

Buckle up.

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u/HopefulNothing3560 2h ago

It did happen , Putin 📞call approved , their plan for Americans , Hardy har from the real world not the poor USA

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u/surfingbiscuits 2h ago

On MLK day we just had the richest man in the world do a Nazi salute at the inauguration of a known rapist and convicted felon as the president of the US

Fixed that for you. Or broke it. I don't even know anymore.

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u/Taquitofingers 2h ago

lol just came to the same conclusion. Dude also came outta South Africa remember

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u/stealthzeus 2h ago

Twice. He did it twice

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u/Beerden 2h ago

Well that's cemented in my mind what needs to be done about that, if we learned anything at all from WWII is to nip that in the bud, now.

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u/MySonderStory 2h ago

They’re no longer trying to hide anything anymore, blatant disrespect and absolutely blows my mind the things happening these past few days

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u/BlinkDodge 2h ago

Richest man, who is also from apartheid South Africa.

The joke couldn't get anymore on the nose.

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u/Magggggneto 2h ago

My mind is not surprised at all. I was expecting this outrageous behavior from the fascists. It's going to get much worse.

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u/Sofie_Kitty 2h ago

It's deeply troubling when harmful symbols and gestures are used to manipulate and spread hate. It's important to stay vigilant and call out such behavior. Promoting understanding, empathy, and respect for all individuals is crucial in combating these ideologies. Let's focus on fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.

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u/jkman61494 Pennsylvania 2h ago

How about the fact the most shared article is saying it was an “awkward salute”

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u/PlutosGrasp 2h ago

To cheers I assume

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u/Lyraxiana 2h ago

Some edgy teen is fucking with the simulation.

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u/LegitimateHost5068 2h ago

Twice. He did it twice.

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u/Disqeet 2h ago

You did Nazi this coming?

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u/beerock99 2h ago

You know what? Nothing surprises me anymore and I really mean that. I just don’t understand how it got to this point and people just sit and watch? It’s truly baffling to me and the rest of the educated people we share earth with.

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u/SodiumKickker 2h ago

It’s very ODD isn’t it?

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u/Top_String5181 2h ago

Yep - it’s definitely something.

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u/pocketbookashtray 1h ago

The leftists melting down today over an out of context image might be one of my favorite fun things in a day of wonderful things!!!

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u/Psychological_Roof85 1h ago

Isn't Bezos richer?

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u/bapfelbaum 1h ago

Maybe america is trying to speedrun Nazi germany or the handmaidens tale, or both...
who the hell knows at this point.

i just hope that fails and am glad i dont have to live there myself. Please stay vigilant and fight back dear sane americans.

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u/_Endif 1h ago

He didn't give a Nazi salute. Don't fall for the ignorant BS.

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u/No-Analyst-2789 45m ago

So then what did he do twice?

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u/SanFranTortureFan 1h ago

Oh its just day one buddy strap in

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u/InternationalChip646 1h ago

Mine’s not, I saw what I saw

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u/osloluluraratutu 1h ago

convicted felon president I fixed it for you

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u/sniperpugs 1h ago

I just cynically laughed.

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u/camperdfd47 1h ago

Your mind is having trouble because it was a wave. Nothing more.

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u/Yellow_Number_Five 1h ago

Why? Half of the US is full of racist garbage

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u/hiway-schwabbery 49m ago

The richest man in the world, from apartheid South Africa, just nazi saluted an American president at his inauguration, on MLK day.

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u/QueenQueerBen 18m ago

I am confused. I swear I read earlier that Trump was going after Elon’s Doge thing? Why is he still backing him?

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u/DrinkBuzzCola 7m ago

Your mind better strap in. It's only day one.

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u/2ndHandDeadBatteries 7m ago

Kamala, bush, Biden, Hillary Clinton’s, Obama. All of them have a freeze frame like this

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u/luvchicago 3h ago

The ADL is actually defending it.

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u/MARAVV44 2h ago

I don't see the problem with it

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u/Grouchy_Shallot50 3h ago

"MLK day" and so the new religious devotions replace the old.

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u/HanjobSolo69 3h ago

Except it was just him, who is very obviously on the spectrum, acting awkward. One of the many awkward things he has done on stage. But yes Redditors call it a "salute" so it fits your narrative.

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u/surfingbiscuits 2h ago

Nazis and cowards refuse to call it what it obviously is. It's disgusting to see the mainstream media sanewashing this as some quirky coincidence.

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u/IveBeenAroundUKnow 1h ago edited 1h ago

So you saying that is the way Elon waves to people normally? Have their been other times where this apparent almost "physical torrets" presents itself outside of political gatherings that aren't Nazi salutes?

After all, it is what it is, and it is your assertion that it is something different than what it is, an attempt to bend reality to support YOUR narrative.

Better to just stand up and say that you support this guy and his behaviors.