Elon Musk Calls Out Cory Booker’s Gesture, Claims Media Double Standard

 

Elon Musk reignited controversy over Nazi salute accusations this weekend by targeting Democratic Senator Cory Booker, claiming the New Jersey lawmaker mimicked the infamous gesture during an event in California. Booker’s team swiftly rejected the accusation, calling it a mischaracterization of a simple wave and highlighting what they say is bad-faith outrage from Musk and his supporters.

I can’t wait for AOC to call out Cory Booker for that hand gesture—just like she did with Elon Musk.

pic.twitter.com/hsAANiuKEj

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) May 31, 2025

 

The moment in question occurred Saturday night during the California Democratic Convention, where Booker concluded his speech by placing a hand on his heart before extending his arm toward the audience. Musk quickly seized on the motion, accusing the senator of hypocrisy given the backlash Musk himself received earlier this year for a gesture some believed mirrored a Nazi salute.

 

 

“Legacy media lies,” Musk posted on X, formerly Twitter, quote-tweeting a video of the event and criticizing the lack of media scrutiny directed at Booker. He didn’t stop there. On Sunday, Musk escalated the rhetoric, posting an image collage of prominent Democrats—Barack Obama, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Hillary Clinton—with their arms extended in similar poses, captioned, “We know where Cory Booker learned his Nazi salute from,” followed by a raised eyebrow emoji.

 

Booker’s spokesperson, Maya Krishna-Rogers, dismissed the accusation in a statement to Forbes. “Cory Booker was obviously just waving to the crowd. Anyone who claims his wave is the same as Elon Musk’s gesture is operating in bad faith. The differences between the two are obvious to anyone without an agenda.”

 

The flare-up echoes a similar controversy from January, when Musk drew widespread criticism after making a gesture during an event supporting Donald Trump. Musk pounded his fist to his chest and then thrust his right arm into the air twice—actions that triggered condemnation from international figures, including Spain’s labor minister and Germany’s health minister. At the time, Musk did not explain the gesture but argued that critics were engaged in politically motivated attacks. “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” he said on X.

 

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) weighed in after Musk’s incident, stating the tech billionaire had likely made “an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute,” and encouraged the public to extend “a bit of grace.” The ADL has not yet commented on the allegations against Booker.

 

Adding to the debate, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., came to Musk’s defense on Sunday. “The mainstream media is totally corrupt,” she posted on X. “They were hyperventilating about this false smear of Elon… Neither Elon Musk or @CoryBooker are giving the Nazi salute. Americans see thru this obvious and destructive double standard by the totally broken media and Democrat Party.” Musk replied, “they are such hypocrites.”

 

While the debate continues online, observers note that accusations of Nazi symbolism—once reserved for extreme cases—are increasingly being thrown around in political discourse, raising concerns about desensitization and partisan misuse. Still, Musk’s reaction highlights ongoing tension between him and Democrats, particularly over what he sees as selective outrage by media and political opponents.

 

Booker, for his part, has not publicly addressed Musk’s accusation directly, leaving his spokesperson’s remarks to stand as the campaign’s official response. Meanwhile, the broader conversation reflects an increasingly polarized environment where even a wave can spark a firestorm.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Forbes  2025-06-04

 

 

Post 1945, I always thought a Nazi salute wasn't a Nazi salute unless you placed your left hand index finger horizontally below your nose - Bazil Fawlty style. 

Isn't that the exact same thing that Elon did ?

56 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Post 1945, I always thought a Nazi salute wasn't a Nazi salute unless you placed your left hand index finger horizontally below your nose - Bazil Fawlty style. 

Amazing how people all of the sudden associate things, that existed or was done long before some nutter did or used something; a salute, a symbol, or even clothing.

 

Now it's unacceptable, or worse, illegal to do or have the same.

 

I understand Adolf sat down to take a dump ...

... OMG, I'm a Nazi 

30 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Amazing how people all of the sudden associate things, that existed or was done long before some nutter did or used something; a salute, a symbol, or even clothing.

 

Now it's unacceptable, or worse, illegal to do or have the same.

 

I understand Adolf sat down to take a dump ...

... OMG, I'm a Nazi 

 

That's a nazi 4th reek dump. 

So to all those on here frothing at the mouth when Musk did this what have you got to say now. Personally neither are Nazi salutes.

4 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

So to all those on here frothing at the mouth when Musk did this what have you got to say now. Personally neither are Nazi salutes.

 

Its literally the exact same thing that Elon did.

 

Red rover red rover we call all frothers over.

7 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

So to all those on here frothing at the mouth when Musk did this what have you got to say now. Personally neither are Nazi salutes.

They will never back down or admit their own party or people they support would do something deliberately to show the Nazi salute. Instead they will just say coincidental or  accidental or misinterpreted. But if someone they hate or oppose it will be their excuse to call them Nazi so fast.

 

This sort of 2-faced approach based on who they like or dislike is commonly used and especially used by those who hate Trump or Musk or what they are doing. But when their own party members do it and uuse it for name calling to associate it with evil. It was simply a wave. 

More double standards from the left.

Others do it too.

 

https://x.com/TechOperator/status/1929262016478257170

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

Isn't that the exact same thing that Elon did ?

 

Yes.  Literally 100% the exact same gesture.  The only difference is Musk did it multiple times and Booker did it once.  It's insane how the left can lie so blatantly when the evidence is right there.

 

 

Our liberal brothers are eerily absent here. C'mon give it a shot and explain why Musk is a nazi and ole Booker isn't.

Elon can feel his star is waning. 

 

It has been over a week since he has created a polemic on Twitter (X). Expect many more self-created "twitter-spats" in the coming months. It is how people remain relevant and in the public eye nowadays.

 

Back in the real world, Tesla shareholders are demanding results. He needs to walk a fine line between keeping them off his back and keeping in with the MAGA cult.

10 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Elon can feel his star is waning. 

 

It has been over a week since he has created a polemic on Twitter (X). Expect many more self-created "twitter-spats" in the coming months. It is how people remain relevant and in the public eye nowadays.

 

Back in the real world, Tesla shareholders are demanding results. He needs to walk a fine line between keeping them off his back and keeping in with the MAGA cult.

 

So you agree they both made the exact same gesture ?

58 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

So to all those on here frothing at the mouth when Musk did this what have you got to say now. Personally neither are Nazi salutes.

Wake up to yourself.

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

Isn't that the exact same thing that Elon did ?

 

No it is not. More importantly, Senator Booker has a praiseworthy record on civil rights and respecting other people. He has the respect of Republican senators who have worked with him on multiple issues. The senator does not have a cloud of shame above him as does Mr. Musk.

 

Mr. Musk has a history of statements and claims that are unhinged.

Elon Musk Shared, Then Removed a Post Absolving Dictators for Genocide

The post falsely claimed that Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Mao Zedong were not responsible for the murders of millions of people, but rather public sector workers were.   https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/technology/elon-musk-x-post-hitler-stalin-mao.html

 

Mr. Musk has promoted and financed extreme right wing political groups around the world.

https://www.thenation.com/article/world/elon-musk-neo-nazi-regime-change/

 

 

Musk is a highly delusional man who has become more obnoxious and more ridiculous as he's become wealthier. He is the very epitome of someone who is not wearing his power lightly. He is an absolute goon. 

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

Isn't that the exact same thing that Elon did ?

Yep and the lack of coverage my the media highlights exactly how bias and corrupted they are

43 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Elon can feel his star is waning. 

 

It has been over a week since he has created a polemic on Twitter (X). Expect many more self-created "twitter-spats" in the coming months. It is how people remain relevant and in the public eye nowadays.

 

Back in the real world, Tesla shareholders are demanding results. He needs to walk a fine line between keeping them off his back and keeping in with the MAGA cult.

Tesla stock dropped due to this very subject, the media lied, the dumb sheep believed them and some when on to attack Tesla and dealers causing millions in losses.... but that same media is silent now when Booker does the exact same thing and you are totally fine with it due to your own hatred.

Luckily Tesla has recovered and a few green haired shims will get thrown in jail.

 

 

48 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Musk is a highly delusional man who has become more obnoxious and more ridiculous as he's become wealthier. He is the very epitome of someone who is not wearing his power lightly. He is an absolute goon. 

It's always fun listening to those who have achieved so little criticize one of the greatest minds of our generation.  

57 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

More importantly, Senator Booker has a praiseworthy record on civil rights and respecting other people.

 

His record is more important than what actually happened?  Even though they did the same thing, it's a Nazi salute when Musk does it, but not when Booker does it, because of his record?

 

The left truly live in a dream world.

55 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Musk is a highly delusional man who has become more obnoxious and more ridiculous as he's become wealthier. He is the very epitome of someone who is not wearing his power lightly. He is an absolute goon. 

 

How does your opinion of Musk affect what these two men have done?  They both made the same gesture, but people aren't treating Booker the same way as they treated Musk.  There's nothing delusional about pointing that out.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Musk is a highly delusional man who has become more obnoxious and more ridiculous as he's become wealthier. He is the very epitome of someone who is not wearing his power lightly. He is an absolute goon. 

Tell us the facts that support your diagnosis of "highly delusional".

 

Tell us the facts that support your calling him an "absolute goon".

 

Did he beat you in a business deal too?

1 hour ago, EVENKEEL said:

Our liberal brothers are eerily absent here. C'mon give it a shot and explain why Musk is a nazi and ole Booker isn't.

Liars and hypocrites tend to disappear when they get found out. 

2 minutes ago, theshu25 said:

You do not have to worship Musk anymore,he no longer works for your idol The Grifter Trump.

 

It's sad that your response to someone asking for some proof for wild accusations based on personal feelings is purely more wild accusations based on personal feelings.

 

You cannot tell the truth or try to answer rationally, because you know that this person is correct, you simply don't like it.

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

Senator Booker has a praiseworthy record on civil rights and respecting other people. 

Civil rights for everyone, or civil rights for non whites?

No need to answer, we already know.

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

civil rights for non whites?

Booker loves South Africa.

3 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Our liberal brothers are eerily absent here. C'mon give it a shot and explain why Musk is a nazi and ole Booker isn't.

You guys seem to be having so much fun go ahead if you don’t know the difference you are blind or just to put it nicely out of touch.

3 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

So you agree they both made the exact same gesture ?

Not at all. It is fabricated irrelevance. It is the political equivalent of Keeping up with the Kardashians. It is trivial froth and should not be reported as a news story. 

2 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Tesla stock dropped due to this very subject, the media lied, the dumb sheep believed them and some when on to attack Tesla and dealers causing millions in losses.... but that same media is silent now when Booker does the exact same thing and you are totally fine with it due to your own hatred.

Luckily Tesla has recovered and a few green haired shims will get thrown in jail.

 

 

You must be confusing me with somebody else. 

 

Apparently in your MAGA world, Tesla is currently good. And again, in your MAGA cult world, any non-MAGA's be they "RINO's" or "libtards" or whatever, must be anti-Tesla. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. 

 

My view on Tesla (and all other non-CCP EV producers) is that I hope they survive and thrive. A vibrant competitive market is always good for the consumer. Any industrial sector beholden to and controlled by the CCP is a losing result for the rest of the world.