James O’Brien issues challenge to Elon Musk fans after ‘Nazi salute’ controversy
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‘I think probably the best way to test it is to make sure you do it twice as well’. LBC Radio host James O’Brien has issued a sarcastic challenge to supporters of Elon Musk after he was accused of making a controversial “Nazi” gesture. On Monday (January 20), Musk was one of the many famous faces to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump, having played a key role in helping him win the 2024 election.
![[Elon Musk's most bizarre moments from Donald Trump's inauguration.]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/21/11/30/Elon-Musks-most-bizarre-moments-from-Donald-Trumps-inauguration.jpeg)
The 53-year-old tech billionaire later gave an excitable speech at a celebration event where he pounded his chest and shot his right arm in an angular motion toward the sky. He also turned his back to the audience and repeated the gesture towards the American flag hanging over the stage.
The hand gesture, which has been identified by Musk’s right-wing fans as a Roman salute, has been widely condemned by many, including his former partner, Canadian pop star Grimes. On his radio show on Tuesday (21 January), O’Brien sarcastically told listeners who didn’t believe that the salute had a fascist nature to it to try it in public and see what the results are.
“Anybody minded to tell me that that’s not what Elon Musk was doing must encourage him to go and do it in Germany and see what happens,” he said. “And in fact, if you don’t think it was a Nazi salute, why don’t you do it at parent night next time you’re at your kid’s school or or just do it now if you’re at work and see what happens.”.
“I think probably the best way to test it is to make sure you do it twice as well and make sure you hit your chest first before you throw your arm in there, just in case there’s any confusion about what’s actually going on. Just go do it next time you’re on telly, if you’re the kind of person that appears on [BBC] Question Time and see how you get on.”.
