The Tesla CEO was one of Donald Trump’s close allies during his presidential campaign. Thus, after the 47th President took the oath, Musk was among the key names of Trump’s administration. The Tesla boss, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s administrator, also addressed the American public during an event on inauguration day.

“Making inappropriate and highly offensive jokes that trivialize the Holocaust only serve to minimize the evil and inhumanity of Nazi crimes, denigrate the suffering of both victims and survivors and insult the memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Shoah,” the ADL said in a statement from its official account.

While many Jewish groups accuse head of Tesla and X of doing a 'Heil Hitler' with his outstretched right arm at Trump's inauguration, ADL says he should be given benefit of doubt

“Thank you for making it happen. Thank you, my heart goes out to you,” the founder of SpaceX and Tesla said as he made the gesture. The ADL said Musk’s gesture was not a “Nazi salute.

The Tesla CEO then turned around and made the gesture ... and take a breath,” the ADL said. “This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ...

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) was among those who sharply criticized billionaire Elon Musk on Monday for making “what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute” during an event celebrating the

Still, no one is really buying his excuse, except for Tesla loyalists and those who are already blinded by his billion-dollar status regardless of any product he produces, as well as the ADL.

The Tesla factory in Germany, one of the biggest foreign investments in German manufacturing in years and the company’s only European plant, has frequently been the site of protests.

Elon Musk faces backlash after a controversial gesture at Trump's inauguration, interpreted as a Nazi salute. Tesla owners express outrage on social media, prompting debates and impacting the brand's image.