• Billionaire Elon Musk criticized by ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt for making Nazi-themed jokes.
• Musk's comments follow his controversial gesture during Trump's inauguration, likened to a fascist salute.
• The ADL, which previously defended Musk’s actions, now describes his jokes as "highly offensive."

Billionaire Elon Musk has come under fire from the Anti-Defamation League (The Hill) for a series of jokes made on X (formerly Twitter) that reference Nazi leaders and trivialize the Holocaust. The remarks, deemed "inappropriate and highly offensive" by ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, came as a response to accusations that Musk made a fascist salute during a speech at President Donald Trump's inauguration.

In his post, Musk used puns that included the names of notorious Nazi leaders, stating, "Don't say Hess to Nazi accusations! Some people will Goebbels anything down!” and added, “Bet you did Nazi that coming," accompanied by a laughing emoji. This prompted a strong reaction from the ADL, emphasizing that the Holocaust was a "singularly evil event," and that such jokes only serve to minimize the suffering of victims and survivors, as expressed in their statement shared on social media (Salon).

This backlash is particularly notable given that the ADL had defended Musk earlier in the week, characterizing his hand gesture at the inauguration as an "awkward moment of enthusiasm." However, the organization’s shift in stance indicates growing concern over Musk's recent comments. Greenblatt reiterated the gravity of making light of the Holocaust at a time when public sensitivities towards antisemitism are heightened.

Critics, including various Jewish organizations, expressed disappointment in the ADL for its previous defense. Concerns have been mounting regarding Musk's past associations with controversial comments, including prior allegations of antisemitic remarks regarding Jewish influence in society. The ADL's evolving position highlights the complex and often contentious discourse surrounding Musk's public persona and the implications of his statements.

For more on this unfolding situation, visit Newsweek.