Featured Image Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Topics: US News, Donald Trump, Celebrity
Lucy Devine
Elon Musk's ex-girlfriend Grimes has spoken out after the Tesla CEO was accused of making a 'Nazi salute' during a speech at President Donald Trump's inauguration.
On Monday (20 January) Trump, 78, was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States following his election glory back in November.
One famous face who was present at the inauguration was billionaire Musk, who even gave a speech at the celebratory rally in Washington. But it was one particular gesture made during Musk's speech that has had people talking over the last few days.
Advert
At one point, Musk told Trump's supporters: "I just want to say thank you for making it happen."
Musk then slapped his chest with his right hand and thrust it into the air, with his palm facing towards the ground.
Turning around to address those behind him, he repeated the move and added: "My heart goes out to you."
Many people interpreted the gesture as a 'Nazi salute', with one person writing on X: "Historian of fascism here. That was a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too."
British political commentator Owen Jones said: "This honestly could not look more like a Nazi salute."
Grimes - who shares three children with Musk - has now spoken out about what happened after some of her fans began discussing the moment online.
"While I deeply respect your concern - it is unhealthy that people are this upset when I have not even been online yet today and am only just learning about this controversy now," said Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher.
"I don’t know what happened and I will not make a rash statement... It’s absurd that someone can be this cancelled for something their ex did before they even heard it happened.
"I am not him. I will not make a statement every time he does something. I can only send love back into a world that is hurting."
When asked to clarify her political position, she added: "I’m happy to denounce Nazi-ism - and the far alt right. Would that help clear things up?"
She later added: "I’ve just gotten out of breakfast and have to catch a flight, and am still debating how to approach things diplomatically because I feel in over my head.
"But if there’s concern about that, I am happy to set the record strait [sic] in a meaningful way. If I don’t respond for another 5 hrs it’s cus there’s no wifi on my flight."
Musk has also spoken out about what happened, boldly arguing that the comparison to Nazi Germany is 'tired'.
Quoting one of his previous tweets, in which he claimed Democrats would launch a campaign of 'dirty tricks' against him, he said: "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks.
"The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired."