Elon Musk embroiled in controversy after Nazi salute claim
Activists from the United Kingdom and Germany projected an image of Elon Musk performing a controversial gesture reminiscent of those seen at Donald Trump's election rally onto the wall of Tesla's factory in Berlin. The projection was accompanied by the slogan "Heil Tesla," referencing Nazi terminology. Elon Musk characteristically commented on the incident.
Two left-wing activist groups - Britain's Led By Donkeys and Germany's Center for Political Beauty (Zentrum für Politische Schönheit) - claimed responsibility for projecting the controversial image on the wall of Tesla's Gigafactory near Berlin. Alongside the picture of Musk making a gesture similar to a Nazi salute, the words "Boycott" appeared with Tesla's logo on the building.
The projection responded to Elon Musk's behaviour during a speech at a rally of Donald Trump's supporters at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The multi-billionaire made a gesture resembling a Nazi salute, hitting his chest and extending his hand in front of him with the palm facing downward. Musk repeated this gesture twice during his appearance.
Elon Musk under fire. "This is boring"
Musk himself addressed the controversy on the X platform (formerly Twitter), responding to comments from right-wing users. He stated, "the attack of calling everyone Hitler is tiring." He also accused his opponents of supporting Hamas.
The protests provoked varied reactions among experts. Kurt Braddock, a communications professor at American University who specialises in the study of extremism, stated in an interview with Associated Press that "he knows what he saw and understands the reaction of far-right groups, including neo-Nazis, to this gesture."
Who are the protest organisers?
Led By Donkeys is a British activist group known for its actions targeting politicians' hypocrisy. The group gained fame by projecting politicians' statements and tweets onto buildings and billboards. In February 2024, it organised an installation on Bournemouth beach made up of thousands of children's clothes, symbolising the victims of the war between Israel and Hamas.
The Center for Political Beauty has been active since 2009 and uses provocative, theatrical actions to combat political apathy and social issues. The group focuses on refugee rights, fascism, and historical responsibility. In 2015, activists carried out a controversial action of exhuming and reburying refugees who died at Europe's borders in Berlin.
