Moment likened to racist gesture used in Nazi Germany but league against anti-Semitism says it was just ‘awkward’

Elon Musk, a Trump friend and advisor, drew immediate public outrage when he appeared to deliver the Nazi salute to Trump supporters.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Billionaire Elon Musk's hand gesture while he spoke during a celebration of President Donald Trump's inauguration drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute on Monday, but a leading tracker of antisemitism said it appeared to represent a moment of enthusiasm instead.

After his speech at the Capital One Arena, Elon Musk made a hand gesture that many are accusing of being the Nazi salute.

Israeli news site Haaretz reported that Musk appeared to make a fascist salute, also calling it a Roman salute, at the Trump inauguration rally. The Times of Israel also reported that Musk had appeared to make the fascist salute. Musk does not appear to have responded yet to initial reports.

Musk, spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help elect Trump in November with the new administration appointing the 53-year-old Musk to lead a department aimed at creating a more efficient U.S. government.

Elon Musk’s salute during his speech at the Capital One Arena sparked widespread debate, with critics likening it to the infamous Nazi salute

Elon Musk offered Donald Trump supporters what looked a lot like a Nazi salute on live TV at Trump's post-swearing-in inauguration rally.

During a speech at Capitol One Arena Monday following Donald Trump’s inauguration, Elon Musk appeared to deliver a Roman salute not once, but twice. The gesture is associated with Nazi Germany, and Musk was speaking triumphantly about Trump’s election victory when he made the salute.

Elon Musk sparked a wave of controversy after what appeared to be a 'Hitler' salute during President Donald Trump’s inaugural parade. The Tesla CEO, known for his close ties to Trump’s administration,

The tech billionaire stiffly extended his arm to the crowd twice in a gesture similar to a Nazi salute during Trump's inauguration event