Did Barack Obama and Kamala Harris Secretly Copy Elon Musk’s Controversial Gesture?

Elon Musk, no stranger to controversy, has landed in hot water again following his appearance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. Musk, who was introduced as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), made a gesture during his speech that social media users compared to the infamous Nazi salute, sparking widespread outrage.

The controversy erupted when Musk, while onstage at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, raised his arm in what some perceived as a gesture reminiscent of the “Sieg Heil” salute used by Nazis. The reaction was swift, with many criticizing Musk for what they called an offensive and inappropriate action during a public event, Newsweek reported.

Musk dismissed the accusations, calling them part of a smear campaign. “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The incident quickly turned into a partisan battle online. Right-wing social media accounts retaliated by circulating photos of prominent Democrats—Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Hillary Clinton—making arm gestures they claimed were similar to Musk’s.

A viral post by the conservative account Libs of TikTok featured side-by-side images of the Democratic figures with the caption, “Can someone direct me to the articles where the media expressed outrage over this? Can’t find any…” Another post read, “Here we go again with the MSM narrative. Calling Elon a Nazi. Does this make Obama, Hillary, and Kamala one too?”

The photos, however, failed to stand up to scrutiny when context was considered. For instance, Elizabeth Warren’s 2016 photo from the Democratic National Convention showed her clapping and waving to the crowd—a celebratory gesture frozen mid-motion. Kamala Harris’s image, taken during a 2019 event, captured her pointing toward the audience while criticizing then-President Trump.

Similarly, Barack Obama’s photo, from a 2010 Republican House Issues Conference, depicted him briefly raising his arm while discussing healthcare reform. Video footage confirmed that the movement bore no intentional symbolism.

The oldest photo, of Hillary Clinton at a 2007 rally, has sparked no credible accusations over nearly two decades. Clinton’s vocal stance against white supremacy further undermines the comparison.

Despite Musk’s dismissal of the accusations, the controversy highlights the polarized reactions to public figures and their actions. While supporters have defended Musk by pointing to perceived double standards, critics argue that gestures at high-profile events carry significant weight, especially when viewed through the lens of history.

For now, the debate rages on, with Musk’s defenders and detractors locked in a battle over context, intent, and political bias.