The Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit dedicated to combating antisemitism and defending tech billionaire Elon Musk’s “awkward gesture” during a celebration on Monday that some critics called a fascist greeting.

 

This is a sensitive moment. The day is new and yet many people are on edge. The ADL posted a message on Musk’s X social platform Monday. “Our politics are inflamed and social media adds to our anxiety.” “It appears that @elonmusk was merely expressing his enthusiasm awkwardly, and not giving a Nazi salute. But again, we understand that people are on edge.”

 

 

Musk sparked online speculation during his speech Monday at President Trump’s celebration event. While addressing the large audience, he extended his arm straight across the crowd from the left to the right. Tesla’s CEO made the same gesture twice.

 

Musk said to the crowd, “My heart goes out to you,” after making the gesture. “It’s because of you that the future is assured.”

 

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., was among the many critics to slam the SpaceX executive as well as Trump’s ally. He wrote on X Monday that “I had never imagined the day we would see what appeared to be a Heil Nazi salute behind the Presidential Seal.”

 

 

Musk’s supporters have said that the gesture was meant to emphasize the fact that the tech mogul had just told the Washington crowd his heartfelt sentiments and made the salute before he spoke.

 

The ADL stated, “At this moment all sides should show each other a little grace, maybe even the benefit of the doubt, and take a deep breath. This is a new start. We can only hope that healing will come and we must work towards unity in the coming months and years.”

 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive representative from New York (D-N.Y.), slammed the ADL for its defense of Musk. She argued that the credibility of the organization has been destroyed.

 

“Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity,” Ocasio-Cortez said Monday on X. “People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all.”

 

 

Over the last year, the ADL and progressives have clashed at various times about their criticisms of Israel’s handling of its war in Gaza.