Projection of Elon Musk’s ‘Nazi salute’ on German Tesla factory in Berlin with the words ‘Heil Tesla’ across the front of the building.
Credit: @ledbydonkeys, Instagram
It’s all kicking off. Elon Musk’s very dodgy gesture at Trump’s inauguration has sparked outrage, with many saying it looked like a Nazi salute. Activists projected “Heil Tesla” onto his Berlin factory, making the protest impossible to ignore. Despite Musk’s claims it’s all “dirty tricks,” the backlash is massive. Read on to find out what happened
Is Elon Musk transitioning into a super-villain? Controversial act sparks outrage in Germany.
Elon Musk’s recent gesture at Donald Trump’s inauguration has left many questioning his judgment and intentions – especially after it was linked to the infamous Nazi salute. And, if you watch the short clips being shared online, it really does look like a Nazi salute. It has sparked widespread outrage across Germany.
Now, political activists have taken their protest a step further, projecting an image of Musk’s outstretched arm onto Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin, accompanied by the chilling words: “Heil Tesla.”
The shocking stunt, carried out by the German activist group Centre for Political Beauty and the UK’s Led By Donkeys, came on the heels of Musk’s controversial salute during Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. The gesture, which saw Musk slap his chest and extend his arm upward with a palm facing down, ignited fierce debates, with many quick to draw comparisons to the Nazi salute. Musk, however, has vehemently denied the accusations, calling them “dirty tricks” and “propaganda.”
But this protest was anything but subtle. On Wednesday night, January 23, the activists projected the image of Musk’s gesture onto the side of Tesla’s factory near Berlin, turning the factory into a symbol of their outrage. The accompanying message – “Heil Tesla” – was emblazoned in Tesla’s logo font, evoking the Nazi greeting used to honour Adolf Hitler.
Philipp Ruch, founder of Centre for Political Beauty, didn’t mince words. “Musk made a Hitler salute, just like American neo-Nazis have been practising for years,” he stated. Meanwhile, the British activists of Led By Donkeys shared a mini-documentary condemning Musk’s far-right sympathies, particularly his vocal support for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. “Don’t buy Tesla,” the group warned, suggesting that Musk’s political leanings were contributing to the rise of far-right movements in Europe.
What gesture did Elon Musk make at Trump’s inaugural ceremony?
During the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, Musk stood up to address the crowd. After thanking them, he placed his right hand over his heart and – very passionately – extended his arm upward at an angle, palm facing down – a movement that many observers interpreted as a Nazi salute.
Musk responded to the backlash by stating, “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” without explicitly denying the comparison.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) initially described the gesture as ‘an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm,’ but later condemned Musk’s subsequent Nazi-themed jokes on social media.
The incident has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with various media outlets, politicians, and organisations weighing in. Some have defended Musk, saying the gesture was unintentional, while others view it as a deliberate dog whistle. Regardless of intent, the gesture was widely embraced by right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis.
In summary, while Musk’s exact intentions remain unclear, the gesture has been widely interpreted as a Nazi salute, leading to significant public backlash and debate.
Protesters target Musk’s factory
This is not the first time the Tesla Gigafactory in Germany has been a target for protests. In recent months, environmental activists have clashed with the company over its expansion plans, with some even resorting to sabotage. However, this latest protest seems to tap into deeper political frustrations surrounding Musk’s personal views and his political influence.
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