Cruz Comes to Elon Musk's Defense Amidst 'Nazi' Controversy

Senator Ted Cruz

Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) is coming to Elon Musk’s defense as the head of DOGE is called a "Nazi."

While speaking to a fired-up crowd of President Donald Trump’s (R) supporters, Musk motioned what many have called a Nazi salute. During his speech at Washington’s Capital One Arena, Musk thanked supporters, saying “my heart goes out to you” before doing the motion.

Immediately, critics took to social media to lambast the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, equating the motion to the salute used by fascist leaders like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.

After his speech generated controversy, Musk took to social media to respond to critics, writing “frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”

However, critics aren’t accepting the response.

Manon Aubry, co-chair of the Left Group and a member of the European Parliament, called Musk and his response “a threat to the whole of the European Union.”

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach also weighed in on the controversy, saying “I don’t think highly of Elon Musk as a politician, from what we know so far. But such gesture, given his already known proximity to right-wing populists in the fascist tradition, must worry every democrat.”

Responding to reporting from PBS News, who shared a video of Musk’s speech with the arm motion in question, Senator Cruz questioned “why are taxpayers subsidizing dishonest partisan liars?”

https://x.com/tedcruz/status/1881739132810272787?s=48

Noting that Musk “literally said ‘my heart goes out to you’ as he made the gesture from his heart to the people,” Senator Cruz accused PBS News of lying to the public.

“PBS knows they are lying, and they are proud of doing so,” Senator Cruz wrote on X, calling for PBS to be defunded.

Prior to the inauguration, both Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy were set to head DOGE, but on Inauguration Day, Ramaswamy announced his departure from the agency, fueling rumors that he's pursuing a gubernatorial bid in Ohio.

https://x.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1881482161565618648

Daniel Molina

Daniel Molina is a managing editor and legislative correspondent with a decade of experience covering the evolving political landscape of the American South and Southwest.