1. Nazi Salute Controversy
During Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and the social network X, sparked controversy by raising his right arm twice on stage, a gesture deemed a Nazi salute by Democratic politicians and historians.
Musk downplayed the incident on his X platform, even joking about it. “Don’t say ‘Hess’ to the Nazi accusations! There are people who swallow anything from Goebbels! Stop ‘Goering’ your enemies! Their pronouns would have been He/Himmler,” he wrote in verse, mentioning prominent Nazi figures alongside a crying face emoji.
2. Proud to be German
Days later, on January 25, Musk addressed thousands of supporters of the far-right German party AfD via video conference on the eve of Germany’s general elections.
“It’s good to be proud of being German. Fight for a bright future for Germany,” he said.
3. A Child in the Oval Office
On February 12, the entrepreneur defended his harsh federal budget cuts in the Oval Office with his four-year-old son on his shoulders, while Donald Trump looked approvingly on.
As he spoke, Musk tried to distract “X,” his son with artist Grimes. He eventually handed the child to a woman present in the room.
4. The Man with the Chainsaw
Tasked with cutting federal spending as head of a government efficiency commission called DOGE, Elon Musk brandished a chainsaw on February 20 at an important conservative convention.
The chainsaw was a gift from Argentine President Javier Milei, an expert in cutting public services himself.
5. Star of the Government
At the first cabinet meeting on February 26, Musk stole the spotlight. However, ten days later, a new meeting sparked conflicts between Musk, CEO of SpaceX, and Secretaries of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Sean Duffy over the announced cuts to federal services, according to US media.
“There was no conflict; I was there,” said Donald Trump.
6. Tesla at the White House
With Elon Musk by his side, Donald Trump posed as a promoter of Tesla vehicles at the White House on March 11.
Tesla sales fell, and some cars were vandalized due to Musk’s political stance.
7. Millions for Wisconsin
In the run-up to elections to replace a Wisconsin Supreme Court judge, Elon Musk backed the conservative candidate, even offering two $1 million checks to voters on March 27.
However, the Democratic candidate won.
8. “Idiot”
After Trump imposed heavy tariffs on imports, Musk countered by advocating for a “free trade zone” between Europe and the US.
On April 8, he publicly called Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade advisor and architect of these trade barriers, “an idiot.”
Navarro had labeled Tesla as an “assembler” of cars made with parts from outside the US.
9. Disappointed
More than four months after Trump’s inauguration, on May 27, Elon Musk voiced his first criticisms.
In an interview, the billionaire said he was “disappointed” with the budget bill pushed by the president, believing it increases the deficit DOGE aims to combat.
The next day, he confirmed his departure from the government, as “planned”.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What controversy did Elon Musk create during Trump’s inauguration? A: Musk raised his right arm twice on stage, a gesture interpreted as a Nazi salute by Democratic politicians and historians.
- Q: How did Musk support the far-right German party AfD? A: He addressed AfD supporters via video conference, encouraging them to be proud of being German and fight for a bright future for the country.
- Q: What happened during Musk’s appearance in the Oval Office? A: He defended harsh federal budget cuts with his young son on his shoulders, eventually handing the child to a woman in the room.
- Q: What symbolic act did Musk perform at a conservative convention? A: He brandished a chainsaw, a gift from Argentine President Javier Milei, during an important conservative convention.
- Q: How did Musk’s political stance affect Tesla sales? A: Sales fell, and some Tesla cars were vandalized due to Musk’s political involvement.
- Q: What measures did Musk take in Wisconsin elections? A: He offered two $1 million checks to voters supporting the conservative candidate, though the Democratic candidate won.
- Q: How did Musk respond to Trump’s tariffs on imports? A: He advocated for a free trade zone between Europe and the US and publicly called Trump’s trade advisor “an idiot.”
- Q: When and why did Musk express disappointment with the Trump administration? A: More than four months after Trump’s inauguration, Musk voiced his disappointment with the budget bill, believing it increased the deficit DOGE aimed to combat.
