A heated debate unfolded on HuffPost between CNN panelist Scott Jennings and Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell over Elon Musk's questionable arm gesture during a recent celebration for President Trump. The incident sparked outrage as Rampell, a Jewish journalist, challenged Jennings to mimic Musk's gesture live on air, questioning the legitimacy of Jennings' defense of Musk's actions.

During the segment on CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip, Rampell expressed disbelief at Musk receiving any "benefit of the doubt" regarding his gestures, particularly in light of his recent comments to the Alternative for Germany party. She stated, “I don’t understand why this guy keeps getting the benefit of the doubt,” prompting Jennings to respond, “We’ve moved on from Trump derangement syndrome to Elon derangement syndrome.” Jennings eagerly defended Musk, attempting to downplay the significance of the salute and insisting it was just a form of enthusiastic expression.

Rampell, however, was undeterred, repeatedly daring Jennings to replicate Musk's arm gesture on live television. “Why don’t you do it on TV right now?” she pressed. Jennings hesitated, asserting, “This salute trutherism is outrageous,” yet did not accept the challenge. On air, the tension mounted as Rampell persisted, stating, “If you think it’s a normal way to greet people, do it right now on TV! Why won’t you?” This confrontation spotlighted a broader discussion about the implications of political symbols and gestures in contemporary discourse.

Following the segment, many social media users highlighted the interactions, with some praising Rampell's boldness in confronting Jennings' dismissal of the gesture's implications. Musk’s salute has been criticized for its reminiscent nature to the infamous Nazi salute, contributing to an ongoing discourse about antisemitism and the responsibilities of public figures as seen in other sources including The Daily Beast and The Hill.

The debate underscores the complexities surrounding political gestures, raising questions about how they are perceived and defended in current media landscapes.