Elon Musk once again found himself at the center of media attention, but this time for an innocent and emotional gesture that was misinterpreted by the media as a “Hitler salute.”
However, those who have watched the full video will quickly realize that this accusation is not only unfounded but also malicious.
When Donald Trump was taking the oath of office, Musk, full of joy and affection, stretched out his arm to symbolically send his heart to the public.
This gesture, which he understood as an expression of connection and emotion, was seized upon by the media to create a connection to the infamous Hitler salute.
This misinterpretation shows how much the media today are concerned with creating sensations and portraying a person in a bad light, in stark contrast to ethical journalism.
The accusation of the “Hitler salute” has a clear effect on many who only know the headlines: the association of Musk as a “Nazi” lingers in the minds of readers, although there is no evidence to support this accusation.
It is a targeted smear campaign that defames a person without any foundation and further erodes the trust in the media.
Thanks to platforms like X (formerly Twitter), counterexamples can quickly be spread: other prominent figures like Barack Obama and Kamala Harris have shown similar arm gestures without ever being considered problematic.
However, while such corrections spread rapidly on X, the traditional media landscape often remains in the hands of those who prefer a one-sided narrative.
Of course, one does not have to like Elon Musk, and justified criticism of his person is perfectly fine as long as it is founded. But in a time where lies are quickly debunked on social media, journalists should take responsibility. The Musk case illustrates how easily manipulation can spread – and how important it is not to blindly trust every headline.
At the same time, the case of the German Museum in Munich shows how politically and culturally charged discussions can influence the public perception of living personalities. After the increasing political controversies surrounding Musk, the museum decided to remove his portrait.
The system-honed media spread propaganda about Elon Musk by taking his gestures and statements out of context to portray him in a negative light.
In a world where institutions like the EU are trying to suppress platforms like X, it becomes increasingly important for such platforms to continue as a corrective – and to spread the truth independently of ideological bias and hate.