CNN anchors on Monday implied Tesla CEO Elon Musk had done a Nazi salute while speaking before a crowd of Trump supporters during the day’s inaugural events.

An excited Musk took the stage at Capital One Arena on Monday and told attendees, “This is what victory feels like.”

“And this was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization. There are elections that come and go. Some elections are important, some are not, but this one really mattered and I just want to say thank you for making it happen,” Musk said.

“My heart goes out to you,” Musk continued before miming the act of throwing his heart to the crowd. “It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. We’re going to have safe cities, secure borders, sensible spending, basic stuff and we’re going to take DOGE to mars.”

CNN’s Erin Burnett and Kasie Hunt then interrupted Musk’s remarks on the network to discuss his “odd looking salute,” with Burnett promising to show viewers a screengrab of it. 

“Yes, that salute was evocative of things that we have seen throughout history and of course we do want to bring it up to be able to take a little bit of a closer look,” Hunt replied, before noting it is worth remembering that Musk has started to dabble in politics in Europe as well, including with Germany’s “far-right party.”

“This crowd, every single person here is paying attention and they are fully engaged,” Burnett said before showing a clip of the salute. “He is a hero to them.

The CNN hosts were careful to avoid saying explicitly that Musk had performed a Nazi salute but heavily implied as much.

After rolling the tape, Hunt says, “It was quick. I think our viewers are smart and they can take a look at that but it’s not something you typically see at American political rallies.”

Burnett agreed, adding, “It was quick, as you point out, but it was in a moment of intensity from him.”

The inauguration day comments represent a return to form for the CNN hosts as media commentators repeatedly likened Trump to a fascist dictator during his first term and throughout the most recent campaign.

Musk, a native South African who is the world’s richest man, became increasingly involved in American politics throughout the 2024 campaign. The one-time Democrat strongly endorsed Trump after the former and current president survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., in July.

Musk’s massive net worth and his ownership of X have helped him become an influential figure in politics. The Space X founder funneled $75 million into his pro-Trump America PAC from July to September.

As a reward for his loyalty, Trump has appointed Musk co-director of the newly-minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).