Elon Musk finds himself in the eye of a social media storm after accusations of making a Nazi salute at Donald Trump’s second inauguration.

The controversy took a bizarre turn as Musk retweeted doctored images of Taylor Swift, seemingly trying to deflect criticism by involving the pop superstar. This move has sparked further outrage online, with Swift’s fans and critics calling Musk’s actions “obsessive” and “inappropriate.”

How It Began

The drama began on January 20, 2025, during the inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., when Musk, in a moment of enthusiasm, thumped his chest and raised his arm twice toward the crowd. Social media users quickly alleged that the gesture resembled a Nazi salute. While the Anti-Defamation League defended Musk, describing the motion as “awkward enthusiasm,” critics like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled it a “Heil Hitler salute.”

Taylor Swift Dragged Into the Spotlight

Instead of addressing the backlash directly, Musk shared two manipulated images of Taylor Swift performing, edited to imply she had made a similar gesture. One of the tweets read: “Does this mean Swifties = Hitler Youth?” The images were swiftly debunked by fans as altered versions of Swift blowing kisses to her audience during a 2014 performance.

This tactic has only fueled the controversy, with many accusing Musk of attempting to shift the narrative at Swift’s expense. Social media erupted, with fans urging the singer to sue Musk for defamation. “Swifties, this is your moment to shine,” one user tweeted. Another wrote, “Musk has gone too far. This obsession with dragging Taylor Swift into his mess is unsettling.”

Musk’s Response to Critics

Musk has largely dismissed the allegations against him, calling them “tired tricks” by his detractors. In a tweet, he wrote, “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired. Find better dirty tricks.” His retweets, however, have done little to quell the backlash.

Meanwhile, some Tesla owners have announced plans to distance themselves from the company, citing embarrassment over Musk’s behavior. Discussions on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have highlighted growing frustration with the billionaire’s antics.

Swifties and the Wider Backlash

Taylor Swift, known for her loyal fanbase, has not commented on the situation. However, her fans, famously protective of the singer, have mobilized to debunk the images and demand accountability. Posts analyzing the altered photos have gone viral, with hashtags like #SwiftiesVsMusk trending across platforms.

What’s Next?

While Musk remains defiant, this controversy highlights the escalating tensions between public figures and their critics in the digital age. Whether Taylor Swift will respond or take legal action remains uncertain, but her fans have already made it clear they won’t tolerate her being dragged into Musk’s mess.