Elon Musk’s former partner, Grimes, issued a detailed statement following accusations against Musk of making a ‘Nazi salute’ at President Trump’s inauguration.
On January 20, Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as the 47th President of the United States, having first assumed office in 2021.
During the festivities, Musk, the CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, allegedly performed a ‘Nazi salute’ at the Capitol One Arena in Washington.
Musk, 53, seemed excited about the mission to Mars, thumping his chest and extending his right arm skyward, which some interpreted as a salute.
The billionaire remarked, “Thank you for making it happen. Thank you, my heart goes out to you,” before facing the crowd and making the gesture again towards the American flag.
Numerous viewers took to social media to express their opinions, accusing Musk of performing a ‘Sieg Heil’ twice.
This action left many Tesla owners feeling uneasy.
Musk responded to the criticism on his Twitter account, with the Anti-Defamation League suggesting it was merely an ‘awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm’ rather than a ‘Nazi salute’.
Grimes, who shares children X Æ A-Xii, 4, Exa Dark Sideræl, 3, and Techno Mechanicus, 2, with Musk, addressed the incident after a fan threatened to distance themselves from her.
“It is unhealthy that people are this upset when I have not even been online yet today and am only just learning about this controversy now,” Grimes stated, referencing her relationship with Musk from 2018 to 2022.
She committed to investigating the issue further before making a comprehensive statement, saying, “It’s absurd that someone can be this cancelled for something their ex did before they even heard it happened.”
Grimes emphasized that she is not Musk and will not comment on his actions routinely, conveying, “I can only send love back into a world that is hurting.”
She clarified she wasn’t seeking ‘sympathy,’ adding, “I choose my children’s wellbeing. I promise you it doesn’t feel good to be hated all the time for things I don’t even know about, cannot predict and cannot control.”
“But I also chose this path, I accept it. I make the best of it, and I simply wish happiness and health to all.”
Grimes and Musk’s two youngest children were born via surrogate in 2021, while X Æ A-Xii was born naturally.
That same year, when their daughter Exa was born, Musk also welcomed twins with Neuralink director Shivon Zilis.
He and Zilis had a third child last year.
Grimes previously revealed to Vanity Fair that she and Musk, whom she called the ‘love of my life,’ desired ‘at least three or four’ children.
Musk has a total of 12 children with three different women.