In a recent interview with Fox News, Elon Musk, the head of Donald Trump’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency, firmly rejected accusations that he is a Nazi. Musk described such claims as “outrageous” and criticized the media's portrayal of him. He expressed concern over the lengths to which his detractors might go, stating that if they had the chance, they would “press a button” to eliminate him, but he considers himself “difficult to kill.”
During Trump’s post-inauguration rally, Musk was seen giving a straight-arm salute, a gesture that sparked outrage and was interpreted by many, including his estranged daughter, as reminiscent of a “Sieg Heil.” Following Musk's acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X, he has reinstated accounts associated with white supremacist ideologies that were previously banned from the platform.
In March, as Musk initiated significant layoffs within federal agencies, he shared a post on X that controversially suggested that historical figures like Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Mao Zedong were not responsible for the deaths of millions; rather, he claimed it was public workers who bore that blame. After facing intense backlash, he later deleted the post.
Shortly after Trump’s inauguration, Musk addressed a virtual campaign event for the far-right German political party, Alternative für Deutschland, where he cautioned against losing German culture to “multiculturalism.” He commented, “Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great grandparents.”
As Musk continues to implement cuts to the federal government through DOGE, he has faced increasing unpopularity, with protests, vandalism, and arson incidents occurring at Tesla dealerships. His vehicles have even been mockingly referred to as “swasticars.” In a March statement, Musk revealed that he and the DOGE team were receiving daily death threats.
In his Fox News interview, Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of Donald Trump, noted Musk’s upbringing in South Africa during the era of Apartheid, stating, “I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of horrific things. So to be called a Nazi by people, to be made out to be this monster, that must be really hard for you.” Musk agreed, stating, “It’s a relentless propaganda campaign, which obviously President Trump has experienced for a very long time.”
Musk elaborated on the nature of political attacks, describing politics as a “blood sport” where any angle is exploited to tarnish an individual’s public image. He emphasized, “I’ve not harmed anyone in my life, so it’s an outrageous thing to claim that I’m a Nazi.” He further criticized the media’s portrayal of Trump, asserting that both he and the former president have been wrongfully labeled as violent figures despite their efforts to promote peace.
“It is disappointing how well propaganda works,” Musk remarked, highlighting the power of repetitive falsehoods in shaping public perception. He noted that if people believe what legacy media outlets like CNN report, they might accept accusations against him without question.
In January, Musk's mother encouraged him to consider legal action against CNN, following a discussion where Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell challenged conservative panelist Scott Jennings regarding Musk’s straight-arm gesture. Rampell suggested that if the gesture were truly innocuous, Jennings should perform it on-air. Jennings, however, refrained from doing so.
In the interview, Musk revealed his belief that certain individuals would wish for his death, stating, “If they could press a button and kill me in reality, they would press that button immediately.” He characterized the ongoing attacks against him as a form of character assassination, suggesting a growing sense of paranoia about the motives of his critics.
As Musk navigates the complexities of public perception, media narratives, and his role in government efficiency, his statements continue to spark debate and controversy across the political landscape.
