While participating at a Trump rally at Capital One Arena on Monday, Elon Musk saluted the crowd, declaring, "My heart goes out to you." He mimicked throwing his heart out to the crowd. The vultures in the mainstream media and radical left, however, were quick to claim it was a Nazi salute. Among those who have been the loudest to condemn Musk have also been the fiercest critics of Israel.
In response to the salute, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) put out a statement on X that was rather thoughtful and appeared to genuinely be trying to lower the temperature.
"This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety," the post began, which is putting it politely. The post then tagged Musk, noting, it seemed that he "made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge." Referencing that people are "on edge" is a great point as well, given that they're likely to read into things. Though the ADL didn't mention this, that's especially the case when they have a predisposition against Trump and Musk.
"In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead," the post concluded.
This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety.
— ADL (@ADL) January 20, 2025
It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on…
Although ADL restricted replies, as it does with all of its posts, Elon Musk was still able to get in there with a reply thanking them.
Recommended
Thanks guys 😂
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025
Just over an hour after ADL put out its post on Musk, in came Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a member of the anti-Israel Squad.
"Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity," she claimed. "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."
Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 21, 2025
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. https://t.co/0gLdMCU3UV
Is AOC herself a "reputable source of information" for anything to do with Jews? Hardly. As if being a member of the Squad isn't bad enough, the congresswoman has spoken out at length against Israel and her voting record also reflects a bias against our ally in the Middle East and Jews at home who suffer from antisemitic attacks. She also blamed pro-Israel groups for Democrats' losses last November, putting her party further in disarray on the issue than it already is, and in large part thanks to her.
Her post has so far been hit with approximately 41,000 replies. Many were quick to remind her how silent she's been about actual antisemites doing actual Nazi salutes on college campuses.
AOC in particular has supported pro-Hamas protesters on college campuses, including and especially at Columbia University.
There's also considerably selective outrage afoot, considering that top Democrats like Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, and former Vice President Kamala Harris extended their arms in a similar manner during speeches.
There are people on streets and college campuses making real Heil Hitler salutes in support of Hamas terrorists, and @AOC said nothing, because she agrees with their cause.
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) January 21, 2025
Please spare us the faux outrage when you think you can now weaponize hate for @elonmusk and the @ADL. pic.twitter.com/m8Em7rm8Uw
Only fair, right? pic.twitter.com/rxwKRC4DZD
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) January 21, 2025
Every time we ask "just how low can AOC go" ...
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) January 21, 2025
Are you Jewsplaining to the Jews right now?
— Siraj Hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) January 21, 2025
The congresswoman also vigorously defended and campaigned for fellow anti-Israel Squad member and former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) as he tried to fend off a primary challenge last June from now-Rep. George Latimer, who is pro-Israel and represents a considerable number of Jews in New York's 16th Congressional District.
Although Bowman hasn't been posting much, former Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), who was defeated last August in her primary by another pro-Israel Democrat, now-Rep. Wesley Bell, Bush still thought she was relevant enough to also chime in.
He’s showing us. We need to believe him. Gross and unacceptable.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) January 20, 2025
Though not as many chimed in to reply as did with AOC's post, there were still 1,500 replies with many mocking the former congresswoman.
Many, including Michael Rapport, also reminded Bush how she refused to stand by Jews when it mattered.
Dang, you’re now an unemployed racist. Dang, what will you do?
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) January 21, 2025
Funny thing is, Jews love Elon Musk and couldn’t care less.
— The Flag Guy (@TheFlagGuy_) January 21, 2025
Only the leftists and the “self-hating Jews” are making a big deal out of it.
They never miss an opportunity to play victim and sow division.
https://t.co/RkPhmpaNxM https://t.co/EZVo7YHdde
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) January 21, 2025
Others who have criticized Israel also thought they would weigh in to speak about antisemitism and against Musk. IfNotNow, an anti-Israel Jewish group, released a statement on Tuesday morning to go on a rant against Musk, President Donald Trump, and the ADL:
"Yesterday, we watched in horror as Elon Musk — who has a history of promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories and making racist remarks — repeatedly did a Nazi salute at a rally following Donald Trump’s inauguration. Especially for those of us whose ancestors faced persecution and mass murder at the hands of Nazis, it was a chilling moment. It highlighted this administration’s close ties to white nationalists and neo-Nazis and further clarified Trump’s plans to rule as an authoritarian who will target undocumented people, trans folks, and advocates for Palestinian rights, and ultimately anyone who stands in the way of his far-right agenda.
We were also appalled that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) — which purports to be the leading organization fighting antisemitism — glossed over Musk’s Nazi gesture, admonishing those of us who were aghast at the Hitler salute to give Musk “the benefit of the doubt” — even as the ADL assumes the worst intentions of those in the movement for Palestinian human rights. This statement marks the completion of the ADL’s transition from a civil rights organization to a willing partner in the neo-fascist governing coalition.
It is also disgraceful that corporate media ignored or buried this story, NBC going so far as to edit Musk’s Nazi salute out of a version of the speech that was aired on network television. While corporate media, collaborationist Democrats and institutions like the ADL may have capitulated to Trump, Musk, and their authoritarian agenda, we will continue to fight for shared safety — for the safety of all people who are under threat from these demagogues.”
If anyone thinks that the ADL is shilling for President Donald Trump and those close to them, they can think again. Hours after the ADL put out its post on Musk, and a separate post referencing Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Rabbi Ari Berman, who gave a convocation at the inauguration, it also put out a thread criticizing Trump's move to pardon January 6 defendants.
When it comes to media outlets reacting, PBS News Hour has been among the worst and most criticized for its post going after Musk.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who chairs the Oversight Subcommittee on DOGE, has indicated on X she looks forward to calling PBS in for a hearing.
As the Chairwoman of the Oversight Subcommittee on DOGE, I look forward to PBS @NewsHour coming before my committee and explaining why lying and spreading propaganda to serve the Democrat party and attack Republicans is a good use of taxpayer funds.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) January 20, 2025
We will be in touch soon. https://t.co/v5LIu9voVK
