Benjamin Netanyahu’s defense of Elon Musk erupted after Musk’s hand gesture was misconstrued by some as a Nazi salute. This incident has sparked a heated debate about the power of social media in shaping public opinion. How are political figures responding to the controversy?
Netanyahu’s Defense and Media Backlash
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stepped forward to defend Elon Musk against accusations of making a Nazi salute. The gesture, intended by Musk to mimic throwing his heart to the crowd, was misinterpreted by some media outlets and political figures.
Musk has criticized legacy media for sensationalizing the incident and attempting to cancel him. In response to the backlash, Musk stated, “It was astonishing how insanely hard legacy media tried to cancel me for saying ‘my heart goes out to you’ and moving my hand from my heart to the audience.”
DO NOT BELIEVE THE MEDIA
The media is misleading you. Elon Musk never did a Nazi salute. Watch the full video: He simply gestured and said, “Thank you, my heart goes out to you.” pic.twitter.com/e3vBaLoVqx
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) January 20, 2025
Support from Allies and Critics
Netanyahu praised Musk as a friend of Israel and defended his gesture as non-Nazi. The Israeli Prime Minister emphasized Musk’s support for Israel, stating, “Elon is a great friend of Israel. He visited Israel after the October 7 massacre, in which Hamas terrorists committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust.”
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also defended Musk, urging calm and understanding. This support from Jewish organizations has added weight to the argument against the Nazi salute allegations.
Anti-Defamation League on Elon Musk: "not a Nazi salute"
Makes sense, since Zionism and Naziism have historically worked quite well together. Both projects have served each other well… pic.twitter.com/N3I1IvypPH
— Greg J Stoker (@gregjstoker) January 21, 2025
Political Implications and Ongoing Debate
Left-wing media and figures, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), have accused Musk of making a Nazi salute. AOC and her colleagues have previously criticized Israel and opposed funding for its defense systems, adding a layer of political complexity to the situation.
Joe Rogan, a popular podcast host, has supported Musk, criticizing the Left for exaggerating the incident. This ongoing debate highlights the polarized nature of current political discourse and the power of social media in shaping public opinion.