When a billionaire publicly performs two Nazi salutes at a highly visible political rally, does the context of his subsequent remarks alter the gravity of those actions? Most would assert that it does not. Recently, Tim Walz, known for his relatable approach to politics, boldly identified the actions of this billionaire as precisely what they were—an unequivocal Nazi salute. This was not a solitary viewpoint; far-right commentator Nick Fuentes also openly acknowledged the salute, reinforcing the notion that the gesture was unmistakable in its intent.
In the wake of these events, one might assume that Elon Musk would consider taking legal action against Fuentes for his comments. Surprisingly, his focus seems to be solely on Walz. According to coverage by the NY Daily News, Musk is contemplating legal measures against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for his assertion that Musk performed a Nazi salute during his remarks following President Trump’s recent inauguration. “We spent three days debating whether ‘President Musk’ gave a Nazi salute. Of course he did,” Walz stated, emphasizing the blatant nature of the actions in question.
For those who witnessed Musk’s actions, the parallels to the gesture in question are clear and undeniable. If Musk were to proceed with legal action against Walz for accurately describing his controversial gesture, it wouldn’t rank as the most irrational decision within a long history of questionable legal battles Musk has engaged in. His familiarity with the Nazi salute is evident, given the content found on the platform he recently acquired, which includes instances of such behavior. Additionally, Musk has recently expressed support for Germany’s AfD party, which has a notorious reputation for its extremist views. Although the ADL has opted for a neutral stance regarding Musk’s actions, they are typically thorough in denouncing the AfD’s use of Nazi slogans.
In light of the current situation, a prudent course of action for Walz would be to have a legal team on standby, prepared for any potential lawsuit from Musk. However, what I genuinely hope is that Walz organizes a press conference where he symbolically acknowledges Musk with an exaggerated gesture. This wouldn’t simply be a middle finger; rather, it would be a unique expression of his individuality, illustrating that Musk is, in fact, dwarfed by the issues at hand. Those familiar with Walz’s speeches know he often expresses his passion in dramatic ways, making such an event particularly entertaining.
Elon Musk Considers Suing Gov. Tim Walz Over Nazi Salute Accusation [NY Daily News]
Chris Williams has been a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law since June 2021. Before joining the team, he contributed as a minor Memelord in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s. After enduring Missouri for long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, he transitioned from a former boatbuilder who cannot swim to a published author focused on critical race theory, philosophy, and humor. He also has a passion for cycling, which occasionally frustrates his colleagues. Reach out to him via email at cwilliams@abovethelaw.com or on Twitter at @WritesForRent.
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