Oh boy, Elon Musk is at it again. If there’s one thing the Tesla CEO loves more than launching rockets and tweeting controversial takes, it’s a good lawsuit.
And this time, his target? None other than Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota and former Democratic Vice Presidential candidate.
So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, buckle up because this one’s got everything—politics, social media drama, and even controversial gestures.
The Accusation That Started It All
It all went down at Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration. As cameras flashed and the world watched, Musk made a hand gesture—placing his right hand on his chest before extending his arm diagonally outward. Now, depending on who you ask, this was either an overenthusiastic motion of support or something far more sinister.
Tim Walz? He’s convinced Musk was making a Nazi salute.
During an interview on MSNBC with Rachel Maddow, Walz didn’t hold back, saying, “We spent three days debating whether Musk gave a Nazi salute. Of course, he did.”
Cue the outrage. The internet went wild, with half the crowd demanding Musk be held accountable for gesturing weirdly and the other half screaming defamation. Naturally, Musk—never one to let things slide—decided he’d had enough.
Musk’s Response: Lawsuit Time!
It took just one X (formerly Twitter) post to confirm that Musk was coming for Walz. A user posted a clip of the interview with the caption, “Creepy Tim Walz says ‘of course’ Elon did a Nazi salute. I hope Elon sues him for all he’s worth.”
Never missing an opportunity to stir things up, Musk replied: “I think I will. Tim Walz is creepy.”
And just like that, we had a new lawsuit in the making.
Controversial Salute or Just an Awkward Gesture?
Before we start picturing Musk in a courtroom battling it out with Walz, let’s take a step back. What did Musk actually do? Was it really a Nazi salute, or are people just seeing what they want to see?
Historians and experts have weighed in. Claire Aubin, a specialist in Nazism in the United States, said, “My professional opinion is that you’re all right, you should believe your eyes.” Essentially, she thinks Musk knew exactly what he was doing.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), however, disagrees. They argued that Musk’s gesture was simply an “awkward movement of enthusiasm” rather than the controversial salute banned in many countries.
So, was Musk just feeling a little too excited? Or was this a not-so-subtle wink to the far right? The internet remains bitterly divided.
The Bigger Picture: Why Does This Matter?
You might be thinking, Okay, but why does this even matter? Well, aside from the sheer spectacle of a billionaire suing a politician, this drama highlights something bigger: how polarized things have become.
We live in an era where a single-hand movement can spark international controversy. Musk, already a polarizing figure thanks to his takeover of X, his controversial political views, and his unique sense of humor, has become a lightning rod for praise and criticism.
Walz, on the other hand, has had a rough year. After losing the 2024 election alongside Kamala Harris, he’s been looking for ways to stay relevant in the political conversation. Some say his Musk comments were just a desperate attempt to make headlines again. He recently endorsed David Hogg, noted gun control activist for DNC vice-chair.
What Happens Next?
If Musk actually follows through with the lawsuit (and let’s be real, he’s not exactly known for backing down), this could be one messy legal battle.
