[Gov. Pritzker responds to Musk’s hand gesture and comments to Germany’s far-right party
“I was disappointed to see that Elon Musk, who is such a visionary and a brilliant entrepreneur, would willingly participate in an event hosted by the Alternative for Germany party. It’s a party that has been accused of, and has been accused of promoting, racist, xenophobic, and anti-Semitic rhetoric, and by extension, anti- Semitism and anti-immigration.
Now, I think it’s important to recognize that Mr. Musk did not create the far-right Alternative for Germany party. He wasn’t the host of the party. He was there to participate in a legitimate discussion about electric cars. But in the process, he made a hand gesture that many people have interpreted as a Nazi salute. And let’s be clear, that’s a perception that’s been has been perpetuated by hate groups and anti-semites, people who have intentionally, wittingly or unwittingly, perpetuated a symbol that was used to engage in brutal, genocidal activities, to murder six million Jews, to destroy the lives of millions of people, to commit unspeakable atrocities.
So, when Mr. Musk did that, it was not just a hand gesture, it was a perception, a signal, a message that’s resonating with anti-Semitic, xenophobic, and racist people all around the world. And I think it’s fair to say that many of us are deeply disappointed, if not shocked, that Elon Musk, who is known for being a progressive and forward-thinking individual, would participate in an event that lends support to an organization that’s been accused of promoting hate speech, hate ideals, and hate crimes.
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