An image of Elon Musk making a Nazi-like outstretched arm gesture during his speech Monday at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump was projected on Wednesday evening at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin. Brandenburg.
The image showed Musk making the gesture alongside the words “Heil Tesla.” British activist group Led By Donkeys and the German Center for Political Beauty were behind the exhibition and published an Instagram post shared by both groups. “Tesla Gigafactory, Berlin. #LedByDonkeys,” reads the caption.
Led By Donkeys also shared a mini-doc on Instagram on Thursday, with the caption: “The richest man in the world, Elon Musk, is promoting the far right in Europe. Don’t buy @teslamotors. Location: Tesla Gigafactory, Berlin.
“This is the Tesla Gigafactory in Berlin, where Elon Musk builds Tesla cars for the European market. It was factories like this that made him the richest person in the world. But now he is using this wealth, billions of dollars amassed selling Teslas, to promote European far-right parties,” the mini-documentary’s voiceover begins. “He openly supports the AfD, a far-right party. [Alternative for Germany] in the upcoming German elections, saying that “only the AfD can save Germany”.
The projection of the image on the Tesla Gigafactory comes after Musk’s speech Monday at Trump’s inauguration. He thanked Trump supporters before placing his hand on his chest and extending his right arm outward and upward, with his palm facing down.
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“I just want to thank you for making this possible,” Musk said during his speech at the Capital One Arena, referring to Trump’s victory in the US presidential election. Then he placed his hand on his chest and stretched his arm upwards, palm facing down.
“My heart goes out to you,” Musk said, after turning to make a similar gesture facing the other side.
Musk responded to accusations that his gesture resembled a Nazi salute on X several hours after leaving the stage.
“Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘Everyone’s Hitler’ Attack Is So Tired,’ Musk wrote.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which campaigns against anti-Semitism, has defended Elon Musk.
“It appears @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate people being nervous,” the organization wrote in a social media post Monday afternoon.
“Right now, all parties should give themselves some grace, maybe even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. It’s a new beginning. Let us hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years to come.
Meanwhile, the The ADL website describes the “Hitler salute” or “Nazi salute” as consisting of “raising the right arm outstretched, palm down”.
“In Nazi Germany, this was often accompanied by chants or shouts of ‘Heil Hitler’ or ‘Sieg Heil’,” the description continues. “Since World War II, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists have continued to use the salute, making it the most common white supremacist hand sign in the world.”
Musk has not responded or reacted publicly to the projection of the image at the Tesla factory as of this writing.
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—With files from Michelle Butterfield of Global News and the Associated Press
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
