Elon Musk Sparks Controversy with Gesture at Trump Rally and Calls to Defund Wikipedia

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Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has found himself at the center of controversy after a gesture he made during the inauguration rally of US President Donald Trump was compared to a "Nazi salute." The incident occurred on January 21, 2025, when Musk was seen extending his right arm towards the crowd. He later denied any intentional meaning behind the action.

In response to a Wikipedia entry discussing the gesture, Musk took to social media to criticize both the encyclopedia and traditional media, labeling them as "purveyors of disinformation." He urged his followers to "defund" Wikipedia, alleging that the site perpetuates legacy media propaganda.

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales responded to Musk's remarks, questioning the accuracy of Musk's claims and emphasizing that the site aims to present factual information rather than propaganda. Musk's calls for defunding Wikipedia have ignited a lively debate online.

Adding to the family drama, Musk's estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, commented on the situation, suggesting that people should call out the gesture for what it appeared to be. Wilson, who has publicly distanced herself from Musk since her transition, highlighted how interpreters might view the gesture outside its intended context.

The Anti-Defamation League also weighed in, noting that while Musk's gesture may have seemed awkward, it did not appear to be a deliberate Nazi salute.

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