Elon Musk faces backlash after controversial gesture at inauguration

In the United States, a controversy erupted surrounding Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, following his actions during Donald Trump's inauguration rally. On January 26, 2025, Musk was accused of making a salute perceived by many as fascist, which resulted in significant backlash from various quarters, including comedian Michael Che during an episode of Saturday Night Live. Che remarked on the incident, jokingly emphasizing that while Musk's gesture was reminiscent of the Nazis, referring to Musk as a Nazi was unfounded. Musk later dismissed the criticism, arguing that comparisons to Hitler are overused and that his critics needed better arguments.  Vivian Wilson, Musk's daughter, who has distanced herself from him, also weighed in on the controversy. Without directly naming her father, she made an indirect comment about the situation, implying that the reactions to Musk's salute were warranted. Responding to claims that his actions could be attributed to autism, she sarcastically suggested that the media's interpretations were dishonest, further highlighting the tension between them. Her remarks on social media indicated a clear frustration with how the incident was perceived and the media's role in amplifying outrage. In light of the backlash, Musk's family and friends expressed concern over the implications of his actions. One Tesla owner, whose vehicle was vandalized with anti-Musk graffiti, shared her belief that the incident was likely fueled by the ongoing controversy following Musk's gesture. Activist groups have also utilized the opportunity to criticize Musk, projecting messages onto Tesla's Berlin Gigafactory that included phrases linking Musk to fascism. This incident has consequently intensified scrutiny on both Musk and the Tesla brand. Overall, the events from January have painted Musk in a controversial light, igniting discussions about the boundaries of acceptable behavior for public figures and the impact of their actions on their businesses and personal lives. As the discourse continues, the implications of this incident on Musk's reputation and the perception of Tesla also remain a topic of interest for many observers.