Elon Musk addressed the general public backlash he obtained after displaying a Nazi-like hand gesture at an inaugural celebration for President Donald Trump, defending himself by saying he’s not a Nazi — whereas additionally making Nazi jokes.
“It was clearly meant in probably the most constructive spirit doable,” Musk mentioned of the gesture, which drew many comparisons to a Nazi salute, on an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” launched Friday.
Musk, the unelected overseer of Trump’s so-called Division of Authorities Effectivity that’s tasked with making drastic cuts to federal jobs and spending, referred to as media protection of his gesture “coordinated propaganda.”
ANGELA WEISS/AFP through Getty Photos
“Now I can by no means level at issues diagonally,” Musk added.
Rogan additionally defended Musk’s hand gesture on the present, calling it “unusual” that individuals would consider his visitor would overtly do a Nazi hand movement.
When requested how he felt about being referred to as a Nazi on X, the social media platform previously referred to as Twitter that he owns, Musk resorted to Nazi puns, telling Rogan, “I didn’t see it coming.”
“Individuals will Goebbels something down,” he added.
The lads, each of their 50s, each broke out into laughter over the remarks.
The tech billionaire made similar jokes on X in January in response to the fallout over the hand gesture.
Afterward in his interview with Rogan, Musk dismissed being referred to as a Nazi.
“Hopefully folks understand I’m not a Nazi. Simply to be clear, I’m not a Nazi,” he mentioned, laughing.
“What’s related about Nazis is, like, are you invading Poland? And when you’re not invading Poland, perhaps you’re not,” he continued. “You must be committing genocide and beginning wars.”
Final 12 months, Musk endorsed Germany’s far-right political party, the Different for Germany, whose leader, Björn Höcke, was convicted for a second time final 12 months for knowingly utilizing a Nazi slogan at a political occasion.
