German police launch investigation into group that projected image of Elon Musk giving 'Nazi salute' at US presidential inauguration on wall of Tesla's German factory

In a commemorative speech after the US presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025, Elon Musk, who supported President Donald Trump in the election campaign, performed the ' Nazi salute ' three times, causing controversy. German security agencies have launched an investigation into the British political campaign group 'Led By Donkeys' and others, after Tesla projected a video of Musk performing the Nazi salute on the wall of a factory it owns in Germany.

Police investigate Musk salute projected on Tesla factory – DW – 01/24/2025
https://www.dw.com/en/german-police-investigate-musk-salute-projected-on-tesla-factory/a-71403737

'Heil Tesla': Controversial Image Of Elon Musk Displayed On Tesla Factory In Germany
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/heil-tesla-controversial-image-of-elon-musk-displayed-on-tesla-factory-in-germany-7548717

Musk performed a Nazi salute during the commemorative parade and speech in Washington DC after the inauguration. In response, technology media Gizmodo reported, 'Whatever Musk's intentions in saluting, Americans on social media are deeply uncomfortable, discussing what it means for the future of the country,' and 'People on social media are upset that the Trump administration is condoning fascism.'

Elon Musk gives 'Nazi salute' during Donald Trump's inauguration speech - GIGAZINE

Then, on the evening of January 23, 2025, an image of Musk giving a Nazi salute was projected onto the wall of the Tesla factory in Grünheide, Germany.

There is also an image that can be read as 'Heil Tesla', a play on the Nazi Germany's signature phrase 'Heil Hitler'.

The projection of Musk's image was allegedly carried out by the UK-based activist group 'Led By Donkeys' and the German satirical group 'Center for Political Beauty.' Led By Donkeys regularly conducts similar activities in the UK, and has previously projected videos of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and far-right activist Nigel Farage onto famous buildings such as the Houses of Parliament in London.

Philip Latch of the Center for Political Beauty said, 'We used a special projector to project the video onto the wall of the Tesla factory from a distance of several hundred meters, and we will continue to do similar activities in the future. ' Led By Donkeys also told the British Press Association, 'Mr. Musk is using the wealth he gained from Tesla to support far-right parties and undermine democracy. '

However, German police have launched an investigation, stating that 'projecting the video of Mr. Musk making the Nazi salute and publishing it online amounts to using the symbol of Nazi Germany, an anti-constitutional organization.' In Germany, it is strictly forbidden to make a Nazi salute in public, and the use of slogans such as the swastika, the symbol of Nazi Germany, and 'Heil Hitler' is also prohibited. Violations are punishable by fine or imprisonment of up to three years.

Some on the German political left have argued that if authorities convict members of Led By Donkeys and the Center for Political Beauty for projecting illegal images and footage, it would amount to an official recognition, at least in Germany, that Musk's actions are a Nazi salute, and have called for the investigation to be approached with caution.