Elon Musk is refusing to apologize for the controversial hand motion he made at Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, instead doubling down with a series of Nazi-related jokes during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience.
During the podcast episode published Friday, February 27, Musk addressed the backlash from liberals and others who accused him of giving a Nazi salute when he extended his right hand in the air. He insisted the gesture was meant as a heartfelt acknowledgment to the crowd, adding that he "did not see" the backlash coming—a phrase he deliberately ran together to sound like "Nazi," before smirking as Rogan burst into laughter.
Musk followed up with another reference, quipping that people will "Goebbel" anything up, a play on the name of Nazi Germany's propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels. This was the same joke Musk previously posted on social media in response to the criticism.
The tech mogul then shifted to a more serious tone, saying he found the outrage absurd and reiterating that his gesture was meant in a "positive, loving way."
Musk has been in the headlines frequently, working closely with President Trump on cutting government spending by shutting down what they consider unnecessary departments. Despite the controversy, it appears Musk has no intention of apologizing and is instead laughing off the criticism.
