LBC Radio host James O’Brien has taken aim at Elon Musk’s supporters following the tech billionaire’s controversial salute, which many are calling a fascist gesture.
The incident took place during a celebration event for Donald Trump’s inauguration, after Musk played a key role in Trump’s 2024 election victory. The 53-year-old billionaire was seen pounding his chest and throwing his right arm toward the sky, repeating the move in front of the American flag. Musk’s right-wing followers have brushed it off as a Roman salute, but many—including his ex-partner Grimes—are calling it something far more sinister.
O’Brien wasn’t having any of the excuses and issued a sarcastic public challenge to Musk’s defenders during his radio show on Tuesday (21 January).
“Try it in Germany and see what happens”
O’Brien tore into those trying to downplay the incident, suggesting they test the gesture’s “innocence” in public.
“Anybody minded to tell me that that’s not what Elon Musk was doing must encourage him to go and do it in Germany and see what happens,” he said. “Or, if you don’t think it was a Nazi salute, why not try it at your kid’s school during parents’ night? Or just do it at work and see what happens.”
With biting humour, O’Brien added:
“To really clear up any confusion, make sure you hit your chest first before flinging your arm. Maybe give it a go next time you’re on Question Time and see how well that works out.”
“Coincidence? Not likely,” says O’Brien
O’Brien pointed out that this isn’t the first time Musk has courted controversy over far-right associations. The tech mogul has expressed support for Germany’s far-right party, AfD, which is known for its nationalist agenda.
“It could be an extraordinary coincidence,” O’Brien joked. “He just happened to do two salutes identical to the Nazi salute right after publicly backing a party that’s busy adapting old Nazi slogans to avoid breaking the law.”
Musk hits back: “Better dirty tricks, please”
Rather than offer a denial, Musk responded to the accusations in his signature style—sarcasm.
The South African-born businessman, who now leads the Department of Government Efficiency, dismissed the controversy, saying:
“If this is the best they’ve got, they need better dirty tricks. Calling political opponents Hitler is sooo tired.”
His comments have done little to quash the backlash, with critics pointing out that downplaying the gesture only makes things worse. As O’Brien hinted, the fallout from Musk’s salute may not be over yet.
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