The world-famous billionaire isn’t shying away from the controversy
While many celebrities caught in controversy opt for a quick apology or stay silent, Elon Musk is taking a different approach—leaning right into it with humor. During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, he joked about the infamous ‘gesture’ he made at President Trump’s inauguration, which many interpreted as a ‘Nazi salute.’
Weeks after the incident, Musk, now head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), returned to the podcast on February 28. At the 10:45 mark, when asked about his experience purchasing X (formerly Twitter) for $44 billion and facing backlash from users calling him a Nazi, Musk responded with a dry laugh: “I did not see it coming,” pronouncing “not” and “see” in a way that sounded eerily like “na-zi.”
Rogan burst into laughter, but Musk wasn’t done. He doubled down, quipping, “People will Goebbels anything down,” referencing Joseph Goebbels, the infamous Nazi Party propagandist. While Musk had already posted similar jokes on X in late January 2025, saying them in person seemed to get the reaction he was hoping for from Rogan.
Despite the heavy criticism Musk has faced since Trump’s inauguration, Rogan was unafraid to defend him. He pointed out that many people make similar gestures without controversy, adding, “You did it with a little enthusiasm that probably wouldn’t be recommended in hindsight.” Musk quickly clarified, stating, “It was obviously meant in the most positive spirit possible.” He even added a lighthearted touch, joking that he can no longer point diagonally—only straight ahead or directly up, telling people, “Now, you’ll have to divide that, because that’s where the spaceship is.”
In a follow-up X post, Musk shared the same podcast clip, hoping to clear the air with a final message: “Hopefully, people will realize that I’m not a Nazi.”
In the same podcast clip, after declaring, “You can’t escape this bullsh***,” Elon Musk elaborated on the distinctions that he believes clarify he’s not a Nazi. He explained, “What’s relevant about Nazis is, like, ‘Are you invading Poland?’ And if you’re not invading Poland, maybe you’re not. Like, you have to be committing genocide and starting wars.” Musk continued, “What’s bad about Nazis is not their fashion sense or their mannerisms… it was the war and genocide, not their mannerisms and their dress code.”
While this statement will surely spark controversy among some, others, including advocacy groups, are offering their support. One such organization is The Anti-Defamation League, which spoke out in Musk’s defense. In their own post on X, the group acknowledged the heightened tensions in today’s world, writing, “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 group went on to express understanding, stating, “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 edge. 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.”
Whether Musk’s decision to directly address the controversy will help him move past it remains uncertain. Perhaps another playful Mike Myers impersonation of Musk on SNL will do the trick, but only time will tell.
