In an ominous incident at Donald Trump’s inauguration, Elon Musk performed a gesture widely perceived as a Nazi salute. Much of the world expressed shock and outrage. In response to the criticism, Musk tweeted in jest: “So I am both a zionist AND a nazi?”
He meant it mockingly, but it’s not an outlandish proposition. Musk has expressed support for both Israel and Germany’s far-right AFD party, which has been widely condemned for its attempts to rebrand Nazism. Speaking at an AFD campaign rally this weekend, still reeling from the salute controversy, Musk reaffirmed his support for the party and urged Germans to move past “their guilt.” He also claimed the AFD was the only chance to preserve German culture. Evidently, Musk believes his support for the Israeli state absolves him of ties to the burgeoning neo-nazi movement. But one can in fact be both a white nationalist and a staunch supporter of Israel. …more
