Elon Musk is once again in the spotlight after sharing a message on X that minimizes Adolf Hitler’s role in the Holocaust and attributes the responsibility for millions of deaths to public sector employees. The post, which has already been deleted, sparked strong criticism from organizations and unions.
This has fueled the controversy surrounding the billionaire and his increasing connection with far-right positions. The message, originally written by another user, stated: “Stalin, Mao, and Hitler did not murder millions of people. It was their public sector employees who did it.”
Elon Musk raises alarms by reposting controversial message about Hitler
Musk, who has been an outspoken critic of the federal government and has promoted the reduction of jobs in the public administration, reposted the statement without adding any comments. This sparked a wave of outrage, especially among unions and groups fighting against antisemitism. Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, responded immediately, defending public workers and condemning Musk’s insinuation.
“Nurses, teachers, firefighters, and librarians make our communities safer and healthier. They are not, as the world’s richest man suggests, genocidal killers,” declared Saunders. The Anti-Defamation League described the message as “deeply disturbing and irresponsible,” emphasizing the need to be aware of the historical weight of such comparisons.
The publication comes at a delicate time for Musk and Tesla, who have been the target of boycotts and acts of vandalism due to their proximity to far-right positions. Recently, protesters have called for getting rid of Tesla vehicles in protest of the entrepreneur’s increasing radicalization.
Musk and the far right increasingly intertwined
This is not the first time Musk has been involved in a controversy related to Nazism. In January, during an event at the inauguration of Donald Trump’s presidency, he made a gesture that some interpreted as a Nazi salute. Although the Anti-Defamation League described it as “awkward,” his critics considered it a sign of his political inclination.
In addition, in recent years, Musk has strengthened ties with the far-right in Germany, attending events organized by the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). In one of his speeches, he criticized the “obsession with historical guilt” in Germany, which was interpreted as an attempt to minimize the country’s responsibility for the crimes of Nazism.