Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has found himself at the center of yet another controversy—this time involving an alleged salute gesture that has sparked widespread debate online. In response to the backlash, Musk appeared to take a lighthearted approach, attempting to defuse the situation by turning it into a joke.
The controversy began earlier this week when a video clip circulated on social media, showing Musk making what some interpreted as a controversial salute during a public appearance. While opinions were divided, critics accused Musk of using a gesture with troubling historical associations. Supporters, however, argued it was being blown out of proportion.
Rather than issuing a formal statement or apology, Musk took to his platform X (formerly Twitter), sharing a tongue-in-cheek remark aimed at his critics. “If this keeps up, I’ll need to invent a new salute. Suggestions welcome!” Musk posted, followed by a string of laughing emojis. The tweet, typical of Musk’s often irreverent tone on social media, garnered millions of views within hours and received a mixed reaction from followers.
While some fans praised Musk’s humor and saw it as a clever way to dismiss what they consider baseless allegations, others criticized the move as tone-deaf. “Joking about something that has serious historical context isn’t leadership,” one user commented. Another added, “This isn’t the way to address people’s concerns. It’s just deflection.”
This isn’t the first time Musk has tried to use humor to navigate public controversies. In the past, he’s made jokes during heated debates about workplace practices at Tesla, the handling of misinformation on X, and his acquisition of Twitter. Supporters often describe his approach as refreshingly candid, while detractors argue it’s dismissive and irresponsible, given his influence.
As the debate over the salute continues, Musk has shown little indication of backing down from his characteristic approach. Whether the joke helps quell the controversy—or fuels it further—remains to be seen.
