Footage of Elon Musk performing a controversial salute at the inauguration of President Donald Trump has been shown on Russian television but with the gesture blurred.
The much-discussed gesture made by the X owner, likened to a Nazi salute, was shown in a segment on the news channel Russia 24, but neither Musk's arm nor chest was visible as he performed it.
Newsweek has emailed X and Russia 24 owner VGTRK for comment.
Why It Matters
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which combats antisemitism, said Musk's gesture was not a Nazi salute. The fact it was blurred on Russian TV raises questions over how it has gone down in Russia, which has legislation against the rehabilitation of Nazism.
What To Know
The Telegram channel of independent Russian outlet The Insider posted the clip in which the presenter referred to debate about Musk's "controversial gesture" during Trump's inauguration at Washington D.C.'s Capital One Arena. It has been condemned by some Democrats and left-wing politicians in Europe.
In thanking people for electing Trump, Musk grabbed the left side of his chest with his right hand and extended his arm across his chest and at a raised angle, before turning around and repeating the gesture.
On the Russian program, Musk's arm and chest were blurred as he performed the gesture. The presenter said that the entrepreneur could have performed a salute similar to the oath of allegiance. She added that, because it bore similarities to gestures in Nazi Germany, it provoked such a heated response.
The presenter did not explain why it was blurred, but, in Russia, there are strict laws against Nazi symbols.
In July 2021, Russia adopted a federal law that prohibits the use or public display of Nazi symbols, speeches, or images of leaders or groups identified as criminal by the International Military Tribunal during the 1945-46 Nuremberg Trials.
Moscow has cited "denazifying" as one of the justifications for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, although this charge has been rejected by Kyiv and the international community.
What People Said
The Insider said: "Elon Musk's gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute was blurred on Russia 24."
Russian channel Russia 24 said: "Similar gestures were also used in Nazi Germany, which probably led to a heated discussion."
Elon Musk posted on X: "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired."
Anti-Defamation League said on X: "It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge."
What Happens Next
The ADL defines the Nazi or Hitler salute as "raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down" and has defended Musk. Andrea Stroppa, an adviser to the Tesla CEO, said that it was "simply Elon, who has autism, expressing his feelings."
However, the controversy is likely to rumble on and left-wing politicians in Europe have expressed their dismay, such as German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach; Manon Aubry, French member of the European Parliament; and Spanish Minister of Labour and Social Economy Yolanda Díaz.
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