Below is my column in the New York Post on the latest attack on Elon Musk from the left. There is a mania on the left in calling people with opposing views “Nazis” and referencing the Third Reich. The left has jumped the Nazi shark in this rhetoric as the public tunes out these increasingly hysterical voices.
Here is the column:
One of the least successful efforts of the left and many in the media this election was to paint Republican voters as “Nazis” hellbent on destroying democracy.
While once verboten as a political comparison, liberal politicians and pundits have developed something of a Nazi fetish, where every statement and gesture is declared a return of the Third Reich. It seems like each news event presents a Rorschach test where every inkblot looks like a Nazi.
That mania reached absurd, even comedic, levels with the attack on Elon Musk over an awkward gesture during the inauguration celebration.
An exuberant Musk told the crowd, “My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.” As he gave those words, he placed his right hand on his chest and stretched his arm outward, his palm facing the floor. He then repeated the gesture before putting his hand on his chest again.
It was all done in a matter of seconds, but it was enough for the usual mob to erupt in faux outrage.
Pundits insisted that Musk had chosen the moment to come out as a Nazi on national television. The Washington Post breathlessly reported this week how the “Nazi-style salute” had “invigorated fans on the far right.” The usual liberal professors were rolled out to offer a patina of authority to the ridiculous claim.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history at New York University, declared, “Historian of fascism here. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too.”
Mike Stuchbery went on X (the company owned by the man he now suggests is a Nazi reenactor) to declare, “I studied the Nazis at university, taught the history of Nazi Germany on two continents and wrote for major newspapers about Nazi Germany. I am internet famous for fact-checking chuds [gross people] on the history, ideology and policy of Nazi Germany. That was a Nazi salute.”
Well, that settles it.
As the outrage continued, any doubt or dissent was denounced as evidence that you are obviously a Nazi as well.
That became a bit embarrassing when the leading Jewish organization, the Anti-Defamation League, stated the obvious: This was not a Nazi salute but rather an “awkward gesture.”
The core principle of liberal mob tactics is that there can be no divergence, even by a group like the ADL. The way to deal with opposing ideas or writings is by making someone persona non grata. If you do not cancel others, you will be canceled.
So the ADL was effectively declared soft on Nazis by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY): “Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all.”
We’ve reached a level of absurdity where Jewish advocates are treated like they are virtual Nazi sympathizers.
This is not the first time the Democrats have labeled Trump and his supporters “Nazis.”
It started years ago as Democrats repeated analogies of Trump to Hitler and his followers to brownshirted neo-Nazis. Defeating Trump has been compared to stopping Hitler in 1933, and media personalities like Rachel Maddow went on the air with a hysterical claim that “death squads” were authorized by the Supreme Court.
When Trump held a massive rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden before the election, the media were apoplectic and immediately declared it … you guessed it … akin to a Nazi rally. From the Washington Post to the New York Times, the media formed an affinity group meeting to fret over “echoes of 1939.” In case anyone missed the message, Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz emphasized “a direct parallel” with the Nazis.
Over at the Nation, David Zirin treated Madison Square Garden (known for everything from cage fights to dog shows) as an almost Vatican-like space: “With his fascist New York City rally, Donald Trump has befouled what many believe to be a sacred space: Madison Square Garden.”
So Trump is a Nazi. Musk is a Nazi. Half the country are Nazis.
The problem is that, if you say everyone is a Nazi, then no one is a Nazi. It loses its meaning.
That includes Ocasio-Cortez, who appears to have joined the ranks of the Reich after critics posted her making a Musk-like gesture during a speech.
There was no torrent of media fretting about how the gesture reflected the extremism of AOC’s questioning need for a Supreme Court, seeking to bar Trump and dozens of Republicans from ballots, or supporting censorship. AOC is a certified Nazi hunter, a license that seems only to be available to figures on the left.
Of course, labeling political opponents as diabolically evil fanatics and seeking to bar candidates from ballots sounds a lot like … well … it sounds familiar.
There is an alternative. We can put the rage rhetoric aside and have honest debates over differences on politics and laws. In other words, we can fight over policy … and leave the Nazis out of it.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University. He is the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”
But…but…but…I thought all Germans were blonde with blue eyes….
Sorry…
Forgot….
Sieg Heil!
“The Washington Post breathlessly reported this week how the “Nazi-style salute” had “invigorated fans on the far right.”
Neo-Nazi’s actually did celebrate Musk’s “gesture.” I knew Turley would find a way to defend Musk, maybe it’s part of his Fox News contract. It’s laughable to say he “placed his right hand on his chest.” How can you watch what Musk did and describe it as placing his hand. In a vacuum you might give Musk a pass, had he not been actively supporting a Neo-Nazi movement in Germany for months.
“Did Elon Musk just Heil Hitler …” right-wing commentator Evan Kilgore posted on X. “We are so back.”
Thomas Sewell, an Australia-based neo-Nazi, whose Telegram avatar is a picture of himself throwing a Roman salute, posted the video of Musk calling it a “Donald Trump White Power moment.”
Christopher Pohlhaus, the leader of the notorious neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe, posted the clip of Musk’s salute on Telegram with a lightning-bolt emoji (evocative of the Nazi SS) and the caption: “I don’t care if this was a mistake. I’m going to enjoy the tears over it.”
The Proud Boys Ohio chapter posted to a clip of the Musk video to its Telegram channel with the text, “Hail Trump!”
A chapter of the white nationalist group White Lives Matter posted a note of appreciation on Telegram, along with a picture of a banner drop the group had previously executed at a freeway overpass reading: “Elon Musk Stop White Genocide.” The Telegram caption read, “Thanks for (sometimes) hearing us, Elon. The White Flame will rise again.”
It isn’t just liberal professors saying it was a Nazi salute, it’s the Neo-Nazis themselves,
As for the tepid response from the ADL, Musk had already threatened to sue them for $22 Billion for lost revenue on X, their lawyers likely told them not to say a mumbling word. I would have bet that Musk and Peter Thiel were more likely to focus on bringing Apartheid to America, South Africa has close ties to Germany, in his case those wanting to Make Germany Great Again.
One day Turley may recognize he’s enabling all of this, until then, he’ll keep taking those checks from Fox.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/01/09/elon-musk-german-far-right-party-hitler/77584508007/
So silly. (Not “so, Silly”, although that works, too.). Grow up, youngster.
Laughable.
Yeah right, all those who want to impute Nazism to Musk are either complete morons or pernicious partisans. In all cases, these defamers owe Musk an apology.
🤦♀️get professional help enigmain
Enema says “I knew Turley would find a way to defend Musk….” as if Musk needs to be defended for NOT making a Nazi salute. We have guys like Enema who loves the leftists that march on campus supporting hamas, a group that not only supports Nazi rhetoric, but engages in it as well.
Is anyone else sick of how stupid the left has become?
HullBobby,
Sad part is they actually think they are being smart. And they wonder why so many sane and normal people either laugh at them or dismiss them outright. As they should be.
Its george’s alter ego – sickness.
This rhetoric comes from Enigma who accused Trump of racism solely because his father faced unproven allegations of being arrested at a KKK rally, 20 years before Trump was born.
Not one oif addressed the fact that the actual Neo-Nazis and white supremacists adore what Musk did. You attack me and ignore Musk, probably thinking it makes you patriots for doing so. How many of you think Pete Hegseth isn’t an alcoholic, or that Patel is anything but a lap dog? Does Trump have the power to rid America of the Fourteenth Amendment via executive order? The worst of the J-6 offenders are walking the streets, and you are probably proud. Enjoy.
if only we had known that it was the Hand Gesture Hitler had used.
Not the propaganda, jailing of opponents, wars, warping of laws, stealing, Censorship, hatred, violence, etc
Democrat = INSANE people that HATE America and Western Society!
DEFUND with extreme prejudice!
I actually don’t care what the left does….but we need to END THEIR Funding
End all Federal Aid to cities, states, non-profits and colleges. Ban Public Unions
STOP REWARDING THEIR Failure!!!! They are insane brainwashed lemming who REALLY truly HATE America
But WE KEEP giving them Trillions!
The pundits on the once popular cable network shows are speaking louder and louder, saying crazy things in order to gain attention. MSNBC could not even garner a million views during the inauguration. SpongeBob get more views. Think of that. 350,000,000 population and not even a million views. CNN is doubling down, even though they lost hundreds of millions in recent years. They got 1.7 million total views.
They are not significant. We only know about them (those who say outrageous things) because other networks and publications mention them.
The voters obviously saw through the B.S. that it is more of the same rhetoric. How did that work out during the election?
One need look no further than the internet to see photos of Clinton (Bill and Hillary), Obama, Elizabeth Warren, AOC and others to see the exact same right arm extended.
The real hate filled antisemitism is found on campuses, governments (U.N.) and in the streets around the world. Those who allow or even advocate such activities are complicit in the hatred. The hatred is real and it is dangerous.
Upon waking this morning the first news report I read was about CNN laying off a significant number of employees and redirecting their emphasis to a subscription based digital service. If no one watches their free broadcast products, why would they pay for it? They are also moving their production headquarters to Atlanta, GA where it is cheaper to operate. NBC, API, and WaPo are laying off staff as well. What a great way to start the day.
Didn’t CNN try a pay for service once before and it failed?
E.M., the fact that the left has been supporting the Jew haters on campus since last year as they call everyone else a Nazi is both maddening and yet laughable.
E.M.
Sponge Bob has more credibility than CNN. They should consider replacing Jim Acosta with Sponge Bob.
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-myyyy-gaaaaaaaaaawwwddd. No Doubt. I saw it in the link to X that Little-Lexi who can’t decide most days which kind of socialist she is, exactly, channeled her Inner-Schickelgruber! And then raised her arm to signal her followers, such fewer of them as remain, of The Squad. And pulling her hair back in a ’30’s housefrau styled bun!!!! A subtle reminder to all: “You will obey”. Nowadays, the competition for the most inept and anti-intellectual Woman-in-Congress is becoming a really tight race to the bottom: Cortez v. Hirono v. Duckworth. May the one with the biggest donkey-ears win!
That IS a really tight race. It’s funny how Hirono is so widely viewed as a lightweight. Now that we’ve heard from him, we can add Sen Chris Murphy to the list. Adding up CT and RI’s four senators equals practically zero on a stretch.
Hirono, a woman born to an American citizen, a woman whose grandparents had emigrated to Hawaii, wrote a book describing herself as an immigrant.
Now, it is true that her mother had not lived in the US long enough to pass her citizenship on to Mazie, just as Stanley Ann Obama would have been unable to pass her citizenship on to Barack, had the little tot been born in Kenya, for the same reason. But Hirono was no immigrant.
But we also have Sen Chris Murphy, Eric Swalwell, Jasmine Crockett and many, many others in the running for dumbest person in DC.
And although a non-voting member from the U.S. Virgin Islands, don’t forget Stacy Plaskett
” the most inept and anti-intellectual Woman-in-Congress”
Has Pocahonkthis fallen out of the running? I guess she will need to try harder…
Hey, Elon: Lose the Roman salute.
Hand Gestures don’t MAKE you Fascists.
They SHOW you’re facist.
No, going after your political opponents, jailing protesters at clinics, forcing social media censorship are what the fascist does.
Many things Nazis have ruined: 1) The name Adolf; 2) narrow mustaches; 3) MSG rallies; 4) extending palm-down hand.
MSG stands for monosodium glutamate, a politically incorrect food additive.
Marjorie Taylor Greene is also considered politically incorrect in some quarters, although she may possess hidden depths.
The Chaplin mustache
Slap a Chsplin mustache and a bowler hat on MTG, throw in a walking cane and we’re ready to boogie.
‘The Left’s histrionics are their go-to move. So much so that pretty much everything they say is worn-out, meaningless, and, in less charitable terms, retarded. If we ignore them and keep working, they lose.
Interesting that that no comparison was made by these people when Camela and the democrats decided that “Joy” was the way forward. If you recall “Strength Through Joy” was one of the many nazi slogans. There’s a 40’s spy movie “The House on 92’nd St”, in one scene at a Nazi German travel bureau you can see a poster hung in the background “Strength Through Joy”. Trump must keep pushing these people with EO’s everyday for the next four years.
Turley misses the point regarding Musk’s gesture, which was evident to anyone observing. While Musk can be quite awkward with his “spontaneous expressions,” it’s hard to deny that what he displayed was reminiscent of a Nazi salute. It’s equally frustrating to see his supporters trying to dismiss it as a Roman salute, which, historically, is precisely where the Nazis derived their gesture.
The outrage from liberals is justified, even if it sometimes seems excessive. If someone believes it’s insignificant, I encourage them to try it out and see how people respond. The Anti-Defamation League would certainly have a field day if this behavior became a new trend, similar to phrases like “Let’s go, Brandon.”
Some commentators made references to the Third Reich for obvious reasons, a point Turley conveniently overlooks. Even if the gesture lasted only a few seconds, that brief moment was enough for the entire world to recognize its implications. It’s unlikely that our friends in Israel would interpret it as merely an exuberant display from a highly animated Elon Musk.
Furthermore, Trump’s overall vibe and that of his administration are increasingly revealing a troubling racist undertone, which is becoming more pronounced with each passing day. This sentiment is reflected in the resurgence of immigration raids, signaling that it is becoming a prominent theme. Soon, it will be exceedingly difficult for even Turley to overlook this reality.
Nut, meet soapbox.
I’m posting this link because I would like your opinion of these ‘salutes.’ Ignore the article, just look at the pictures and the video of AOC, if you would, please….
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/01/22/hair-flipping-aocs-past-comes-back-to-haunt-her-after-thirsty-musk-bashing-video-backfires-1517703/
Thx hilarious link!
You are welcome, and thank you!
Hubris, Mr. George. Eat more oatmeal for regularity.
“Hubris, Mr. George. Eat more oatmeal for regularity.”
Some of us may prefer that he be constipated, so as to spew less vile sh1t all over this comment section.
“Hubris, Mr. George. Eat more oatmeal for regularity.”
Some of us may prefer that he be constipated, so as to spew less of his vile $h!t all over this comment section.
Illegal alien is not a race. Skin color is irrelevant, actions aren’t.
The Nazipalooza of the Left is just the latest delusional manifestation of their Trump Derangement Syndrome.
That’s what happens when you live inside the Woke Bubble, and goose step in unison to every meme.
It is all so trying and sad. I am glad that JT thinks the general public is seeing through it by now. Unfortunately, some of my family members aren’t!
“Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest….”
E.M: Good relevant quote from “The Boxer” song recorded by Simon & Garfunkel.
Okay, I confess. I wear a bracelet that says WWHD, what would Hitler do? But my local Nazi chapter, excuse me, the Republicans, won’t let me in because I am too feeble to goose step.
Oh Flyod. Please just shutup fpor once in your life. You are a buffoon.
Heck, I fell out of my wheelchair last night and had to have 911 come pick me up. I can not raise my arm in a Nazi salute because I landed on it. Which is why I am awake at this ungodly hour. I am afraid they may revoke my Buffoon License.
Which arm flyod?
Right one, and my hand is kind of messed up. Maybe I could play Dr. Strangelove???
No, just with yourself. YOu buffoon.
Just curious….do you intentionally misspell Floyd’s name?
I have a whole file of memes just for the useless idiot AOC!
One of my favorites, her saying:
“can I ask a stupid question?”
And Trump responds:
“better than anyone I know!”
Has no one on the Left ever watched even Hogan’s Heroes? The Hitler greeting was in two dimensions, up and down. Musk’s heart goes out to you gesture, hand to heart to crowd, was necessarily in three-dimensions.
“I have a whole file of memes just for the useless idiot AOC!”
That doesn’t seem very sporting. Kind of like mocking a child with Down Syndrome…
Floyd,
That was dang funny! And good way to own the anonymoron with humor!!
It began with the two anchors on CNN and exploded after that. Legal eagles out there, might this open them up to a defamation lawsuit? You’d think they’d be more careful after this lawsuit they lost.
“might this open them up to a defamation lawsuit?”
I’d love to see Muck sue them, win a huge judgement, and take over the network when it fails to pay up.
No, it can’t open them up to a defamation lawsuit. And not only because Musk is a public figure.
They didn’t make any false factual statements; they merely expressed an opinion. He did make the movement; all they added was their private interpretation of what he was thinking; that’s by definition an opinion, and thus not actionable.
Hear ye, hear ye, all Karens please report to the Turley blog asap. Whining and incoherency required.
AOC says the ADL “works for them”. Who is “they”? This is from one of the “bright stars” of the Democratic Party. Someday she might actually become a DNC troll on this website.
Really? You’re referening something AOC said? She’s a first class idiot. Ignore her, don’t give such a stupid person attention. If any, she deserves to be mocked.
” Someday she might actually become a DNC troll on this website.”
Are you certain that she isn’t already here, posting as GooGoo?
Well, actually they do have policies. Open borders, unlimited abortion, lawfare against your political opponents, rigged elections, influence peddling, males in girls’ bathrooms and sports, etc.
I don’t know if you are old or a lawyer, but I do think you are wise!!!! Keep up the good work.
I don’t mind them saying it at all. People don’t believe them because it’s ridiculous. But I do call many on the left fascist because they are fascists – they’re trying to achieve one party domination by eliminating the filibuster, packing the court, making states out of liberal enclaves and the like. They threaten, they bully, and they lie, lie, lie about everything. When they are not lying, they are misleading. I don’t think the professor and many on the right get it – these are people who would put you up against the wall. If you think AOC is not all for censorship, education camps and the like, you have not been paying attention. She is one of many and they now often openly say it. Everything but the names – those they reserve for Republicans and conservatives.
Do people not realize how close they got to achieving their wish as DEI/CRT, multi genderism uncensorship took over our media, social media, schools, banks, associations and businesses?
How close they still are
flyod, the top fool of the one-liners.
AND you reply with a one-liner! Ha ha
You missed LAWFARE. AOC is the dumbest of the dumbest. There ought to be a law that a candidate for political positions ie., congress/senate, selectman, etc. take an intelligence test.
For example, the main political parties (SPD, CDU, Gruene) train members at party run schools in issues, ideology, rhetoric, etc. Those with exceptional grades are allowed to candidacies. The less performative are relegated to minor roles in the party.
Just like the Nazis did in the 30’s.
Anonymous 6:53AM- AOC is showing that she wishes to be the next Joe Biden. She already has the stupid part but she still needs to start showing early development dementia and also needs to find a collapsible chair for her vacations at the beach.
There ought to be a law that a candidate for political positions ie., congress/senate, selectman, etc. take an intelligence test.
As far as federal offices are concerned, including Congress, what you’re proposing would be unconstitutional.
Actually I can guarantee you many Do believe every insane Democrat utterance.
Just ask my cousin! His group think group…are INSANE!
Anonymous 6:12AM-your points are well made and as comical as it sounds to us, these people, stupid though they may be, are serious. And the laughing would stop if they ever achieved power. We had an example of that with the J6 rioters who were jailed without bond and sentenced to years in prison for trespassing. Laugh at them and keep it up but remain on guard. Laughter can destroy them but they are serious and I have no doubt that they would be a plague on this country if the ever achieved unchecked power.
George W Bush said he showed that a C student could become president so I would suggest these people float along at D-F range but they can still cause real damage.
AOC-well that is a mouth without a brain.
But that would require actually having policies and as we saw during the election they have none.
Anonymous 6:05 am-Obama won with just a promise to “Transform America”