Elon Musk calls for action in furious response after Wikipedia page calls his gesture a ‘Nazi salute’

Elon Musk isn't best pleased with what's been written about him on his Wikipedia page.

The businessman and Donald Trump's current best buddy has waged war on the website in a series of scathing posts on X, calling for Wikipedia to be 'defunded' after he saw how his controversial gesture at the President's inauguration was described on the online encyclopaedia.

While addressing the crowd in Washington on Monday (20 January), Musk, 53, appeared to thump his chest and extend his right arm upwards in an angular motion.

Many people likened the Tesla boss' movement to a 'Nazi salute' - however, the billionaire is pretty peeved that this was also plastered on his Wikipedia page.

A social media user took to X to share a screenshot of a small portion of the information which is displayed on Musk's page on the well-known website.

It stated: "In his speech during the second Trump inauguration, Musk twice extended his right arm towards the crowd in an upward angle. The gesture was compared to a Nazi salute or a fascist salute.

"Musk denied any meaning behind the gesture."

In a furious response shared on Tuesday (21 January), Musk made it clear he didn't approve of how his movements were characterised on the website.

He wrote: "Since legacy media propaganda is considered a 'valid' source by Wikipedia, it naturally simply becomes an extension of legacy media propaganda!"

In a second post, the Space X founder added: "Defund Wikipedia until balance is restored!"

Another saw him suggest that it was 'crystal clear' that the online encyclopedia has a political agenda.

Since legacy media propaganda is considered a “valid” source by Wikipedia, it naturally simply becomes an extension of legacy media propaganda! https://t.co/lwQlM51FRX

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025

But Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, who launched the site with Larry Sanger in 2001, hit back at Musk with a tweet of his own.

The entrepreneur wrote: "I think Elon is unhappy that Wikipedia is not for sale. I hope his campaign to defund us results in lots of donations from people who care about the truth.

"If Elon wanted to help, he'd be encouraging kind and thoughtful intellectual people he agrees with to engage," Wales added.

Memorably, in 2023, Musk said he would give Wikipedia $1 billion if they changed their name to 'D**kipedia' so that the site could stop asking readers for financial support.

Musk's ex-girlfriend Grimes has now spoken out about the gesture he made at the inauguration, as well as one of his 12 children.

Vivian Wilson - who has publicly criticised him in the past - used her father's social media platform to share her thoughts, but didn't directly refer to Musk.

Addressing the scandal himself after footage of his salute went viral, the uber rich businessman kept his comments quite concise.

"Frankly, they need better dirty tricks," he wrote, alluding to the idea that political rivals were pedalling the fascist narrative. "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired."