“Dirty Trick”. Elon Musk Denies Making Nazi Salute

US billionaire Elon Musk has denied making a Nazi salute after Donald Trump was sworn in as US President in Washington, adding that he was being targeted by a "dirty trick".

"Frankly. They need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is so tired," the Tesla and Space X boss wrote in a message posted on the social network X, which he owns.

The South African-born American businessman caused controversy by twice making a salute, described by some newspapers as "fascist" or "Nazi", while others argued that it was a "clumsy gesture".

The businessman was speaking on stage at the Capital One Arena complex in Washington, where Donald Trump supporters had gathered for a meeting with the new head of state, a few hours after the 47th US President was sworn in.

Musk, after thanking those present for allowing Trump to return to the presidency, hit his chest with his right hand and extended his arm with an open palm.

Musk then repeated the gesture, turning to the crowd behind the stage.

Historian Claire Aubin, an expert on Nazism and neo-Nazism in the United States, told Agence France Presse that Elon Musk's gesture was a Nazi salute.

"It didn't take long," criticized Democratic congressman Jimmy Gomez on the social network X.

Another historian and expert on fascism, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, wrote on the same social network, owned by Musk, that it was an "aggressive Nazi salute."

Some newspapers, such as the Israeli Haaretz and the British Guardian, said that the billionaire "appeared" to have made a "fascist" or "fascist-style" salute.

"It looked like [Musk] had been holding it in for a while and finally managed to let it go. Like he had been practicing in front of the mirror to find the right angle," said US Democrat Cori Bush on the social network X.

According to US magazine Wired, many far-right figures in the United States were pleased with the event, including columnist Evan Kilgore, who praised Musk for making "an incredible gesture".

In recent weeks, Elon Musk has made numerous statements supporting the German far-right party AfD, as well as the far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the British anti-immigration party Reform UK.

"Elon Musk knew exactly what he was doing with the fascist Roman salute at the Trump rally - which follows explicit support for far-right policies and parties," said Amy Spitalnick, head of the Jewish organization JCPA (Jewish Council for Public Affairs), in a statement released today.