NEWS
Elon Musk Faces Backlash for Performing Controversial ‘Nazi Salute’ at Trump Inauguration, Attempts to Shift Focus by Posting Old Video of Taylor Swift Doing a Similar Gesture
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Elon Musk Dragged Into Controversy Over ‘Nazi Salute,’ Involves Taylor Swift in Deflection Attempt
Elon Musk is facing widespread criticism after performing what many have described as a “Nazi salute” during Donald Trump’s inauguration event. The gesture, which Musk made during his appearance at the ceremony, quickly drew backlash on social media and from political commentators, who labeled it offensive and symbolic of far-right ideology.
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Amid mounting scrutiny, Musk attempted to deflect attention from his actions by posting a video on his X (formerly Twitter) platform, showing Taylor Swift performing a similar hand gesture in a completely unrelated context. The clip, believed to be from one of Swift’s past performances, was captioned in a way that implied she had also made the controversial gesture, sparking outrage among Swift’s fanbase.
Swifties React to Musk’s Deflection
Swift’s loyal fanbase, commonly referred to as “Swifties,” quickly took to social media to defend the singer, accusing Musk of unfairly dragging her into his personal scandal. Many criticized Musk for using a pop star’s unrelated actions to downplay his own controversial behavior, labeling the move as “desperate” and “misleading.”
Criticism of Musk’s Actions
Political analysts and social media users alike have slammed Musk for deflecting responsibility instead of addressing the backlash directly. Some argued that his decision to invoke Swift’s name was a calculated move to shift public attention, while others viewed it as an attempt to weaponize celebrity culture to minimize the fallout from his actions.
What’s Next?
While Musk has yet to offer a direct apology for his gesture at the inauguration, the incident has continued to dominate headlines, with many calling for accountability. Taylor Swift has not commented on the situation as of now, but her fans have been vocal in their condemnation of Musk’s tactics.
The controversy underscores the growing scrutiny on public figures and the consequences of their actions in highly politicized environments. Whether this incident will impact Musk’s public image or provoke further responses from Swift remains to be seen.