After Trump’s swearing-in, Musk spoke to supporters at Capital One Arena. In high spirits, Musk took a victory lap over Trump’s win.

“And I just want to say, thank you for making it happen. Thank you,” Musk said, putting his right hand over his heart, then quickly extending his arm. “My heart goes out to you.”

Critics interpreted the move as his version of a Roman salute, a gesture that became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries due to associations with classical Rome but has since been rendered infamous due to its adoption by the Nazis and other fascist parties before and during World War II.

“Our new co-president Elon Musk gives a Nazi salute on day one of Trump presidency,” said Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett.

“Remember when Democrats called MAGA rallies ‘Nazi rallies?’ President un-elect Elon Musk just did the Nazi Sieg Heil salute. We were right. Absolutely vile,” liberal commentator Art Candee said in a post on X.

Several conservative figures accused left-leaning people of being hysterical, dismissing Musk’s gesture as innocent.

“This is just ridiculous. Elon Musk says his heart goes out to the patriots in Capital One Arena, so he pounds his chest and waves at the crowd,” conservative activist Charlie Kirk said. “These people are so thirsty for controversy and racism—that doesn’t exist—it’s astounding.”

“As a person with a *strong* track record of criticizing Elon Musk, I feel extremely confident asserting that this was not a Nazi salute. Elon Musk is a friend to the Jews. This is a man with Aspergers exuberantly throwing his heart to the crowd. We don’t need to invent outrage,” said Newsweek opinion editor Batya Ungar-Sargon.

Others defended him by saying it was no different than other hand gestures made by Democratic figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Musk posted several clips of his speech at Capital One Arena without any further commentary.

Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States at noon on Monday, with Musk sitting nearby.