In a moment that has set the internet ablaze, Elon Musk was seen at Donald Trump's inauguration at the Capital One Arena, placing his right hand on his chest and then extending it forward in a gesture that many are comparing to a Nazi salute. The tech mogul, known for his controversial stances, was heard saying, "This is what victory feels like... Thank you for making it happen."

The public reaction was swift and polarized. Critics, including Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish community in Munich, labeled the gesture "highly irritating." The Jerusalem Post openly questioned whether Musk had performed a Nazi salute. However, some defended Musk, interpreting the gesture as an expression of solidarity rather than hate.

Musk took to X to dismiss the uproar, tweeting, "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired." The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) weighed in, describing it as an "awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm," clarifying it was not a Nazi salute but acknowledging the sensitivity around such actions.

This incident comes amid Musk's increasingly visible alignment with right-wing politics, including support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and British activist Tommy Robinson. Critics argue that this political shift reflects deeper, troubling ideologies possibly rooted in Musk's South African upbringing during apartheid.

Musk, along with fellow PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, has been linked to what some call the "PayPal Mafia," a group of influential tech figures whose backgrounds in apartheid South Africa might have shaped their political and economic views. Musk's grandfather, Joshua Haldeman, was notably a proponent of apartheid and had ties to Technocracy Inc., a movement with fascist overtones.

Errol Musk joins Andrew Eborn to respond to inaccuracies in Guardian article

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/26/elon-musk-peter-thiel-apartheid-south-africa

Guardian 26th Jan Chris McGreal


Errol Musk opposed apartheid and initially joined the Progressive
Federal Party but left due to its support for “one person, one vote.”
He preferred gradual reform, proposing separate parliaments for
different races, which he described as the liberal position within the
Musk family.

Joshua Haldeman (Elon Musk’s Maternal Grandfather)

Moved from Canada to South Africa in 1950 because he supported the
apartheid government.
Was a leader of Technocracy Incorporated in Canada, a fringe movement
advocating governance by elite technicians, which had fascist
undertones, including uniforms and salutes.
Technocracy Incorporated was banned during World War II for opposing
the war and being deemed a security threat. Haldeman was jailed for
publishing anti-war materials.
After the war, he led a political party promoting the antisemitic
Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
Emigrated to South Africa, drawn to the National Party’s Christian
nationalist philosophy, which had parallels to Nazism.

Errol Musk on Maye’s Parents

Errol described Maye Musk’s parents as “very fanatical in favor of
apartheid,” stating they supported Hitler and sympathized with the
Afrikaner government.
Errol eventually stopped visiting them due to their extreme views.

Elon Musk’s Relationship with Family

Joshua Haldeman died in a plane crash when Elon was three years old, ( Errol says Elon was 1)
but Elon remained close to his mother and grandmother.
Elon is estranged from Errol Musk, whom he has described as abusive.
Maye Musk has also accused Errol of abuse toward her and their children.
Errol once claimed he shot and killed three intruders in self-defense.

Elon Musk on Errol

Elon described his father as a “terrible human being,” stating in
Rolling Stone in 2017:

“Almost every evil thing you could possibly think of, he has done.”