I would prefer to stay out of politics,” Elon Musk told his followers in 2021, on the platform then known as Twitter. Plenty has changed since then. The world’s richest man appears to have a new goal: upending Europe.

The Roman salute is conditionally allowed in Italy and outright banned in Germany. German chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to Musk's gesture by saying, "We have the freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany," he said, "what we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme right positions."

Elise Stefanik, President Trump’s nominee to serve as ambassador to the United Nations, defended Elon Musk’s gesture that many interpreted as a Nazi salute, when questioned by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.