Elon Musk's Haircut: Controversial New Appearance and Gestures: Examining Historical Parallels

Elon Musk and Son with New Haircut 3/16/2025 Resembling that of Adolf Hitler

Recent controversies surrounding Elon Musk have sparked intense public debate over his appearance and gestures. Old photographs showcasing a distinctive haircut have resurfaced and drawn comparisons to Adolf Hitler’s iconic hairstyle, while a gesture made at Donald Trump’s inauguration has bewen likened to the infamous Nazi salute. These incidents have ignited discussions about historical symbolism and responsibility in public figures.

Now it seems Elon Musk has went back to his 2021 haircut style, strongly resembling that of Adolf Hitler. as seen from a picture posted to Elon’s official X account as seen on the left.

The Haircut Controversy

In early March 2025, old photographs of Elon Musk from 2021 resurfaced on social media, triggering a wave of reactions due to his distinctive hairstyle. The images, taken during Musk’s trip to Miami for the Art Basel international art fair, show him with the sides and lower back of his head shaved while the top remains intact and swept to one side1. This particular styling quickly drew comparisons to Adolf Hitler’s infamous haircut.

Social media users reacted strongly to these resurfaced images, with many posts directly comparing Musk’s appearance to Hitler. One viral post on X (formerly Twitter) described it as a “2016 OG MAGA Hitler youth haircut,” while others compared it to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s hairstyle or referred to it as the “Himmler” style, referencing another high-ranking Nazi official2. Some users jokingly suggested that “Musk told the barber to only shave his real hair. They left the toupee part alone”1.

The Salute Incident

At a post-inauguration rally in January 2025, Elon Musk made a gesture that has become the subject of intense scrutiny. According to reports, Musk first placed his palm to his chest and then extended a stiff right arm toward the crowd at a slight elevation with his palm down7. This gesture was repeated multiple times during the event.

Many observers and critics, including comedian Bill Burr, have drawn parallels between Musk’s gesture and the Nazi salute. During a March 12, 2025 appearance on The Breakfast Club podcast, Burr criticized Musk, stating that he had “Sieg Heiled twice” in public but “still has a job”3. Burr further questioned how someone could claim to “support the troops” while making a gesture reminiscent of Nazi symbolism3.

The gesture has reportedly been celebrated by various right-wing extremist groups. Leaders of neo-Nazi organizations shared clips of Musk’s salute on social media platforms with approving comments7. This reception has only intensified the controversy surrounding the incident.

Musk’s influence in the Trump administration adds another layer of significance to these controversies. As the leader of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has been tasked with eliminating hundreds of billions in federal spending and has played a significant role in shaping Trump’s cabinet7.

History of the Nazi Salute

To understand the controversy surrounding Musk’s gesture, it’s important to examine the history of the Nazi salute. Also known as the Hitler salute or the Sieg Heil salute, this gesture involved extending the right arm from the shoulder into the air with a straightened hand4. It was typically accompanied by phrases such as “Heil Hitler” (Hail Hitler), “Heil, mein Führer” (Hail, my leader), or “Sieg Heil” (Hail victory)4.

The Nazi salute was inspired by the Fascist salute used by the Italian National Fascist Party. It was officially adopted by the Nazi Party in 1926, although it had been used within the party as early as 19214. The salute functioned as both a display of commitment to the party and a declaration of principles to the outside world. Party leader Gregor Strasser noted in 1927 that the greeting itself was a pledge of loyalty to Hitler and a symbol of personal dependence on the Führer4.

Some party members initially questioned the legitimacy of adopting what they considered a “Roman salute” as un-Germanic. In response, Rudolf Hess published an article titled “The Fascist Greeting” in 1928, attempting to establish its German pedigree by claiming the gesture was used in Germany before the Nazis had heard about Italian Fascists4.

After the Nazis came to power, the salute became increasingly mandatory. On July 13, 1933, Reich Minister of the Interior Wilhelm Frick issued a decree requiring all German public employees to use the salute4. The decree stipulated that “anyone not wishing to come under suspicion of behaving in a consciously negative fashion will therefore render the Hitler Greeting”4. By the end of 1934, special courts were established to punish those who refused to salute, with offenders facing the possibility of being sent to concentration camps4.

The military initially resisted adopting the Hitler salute and maintained their traditional military salute until after the failed assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944, when they were ordered to replace the standard military salute with the Hitler salute8.

Hitler’s Government Control

The Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler implemented comprehensive systems of control over German society and government. Hitler ruled Germany autocratically through the “Führerprinzip” (leader principle), which demanded absolute obedience from all subordinates5. He viewed the government structure as a pyramid with himself—supposedly the infallible leader—at the apex5.

Party rank was not determined through elections but through appointments by those of higher rank. The party developed a cult of personality around Hitler, whose oratorical skills had a significant psychological impact on the German people5. As historian Roger Gill noted, “His moving speeches captured the minds and hearts of a vast number of the German people: he virtually hypnotized his audiences”5.

Hitler’s leadership style was deliberately chaotic. He expected officials to “work towards the Führer”—taking initiative to promote policies aligned with party goals without his involvement in day-to-day decisions5. The government functioned as a disorganized collection of factions led by party elites who competed for Hitler’s favor. Hitler intentionally gave contradictory orders and placed subordinates in positions with overlapping responsibilities to foster distrust and competition, which ultimately consolidated his own power5.

The Nazis systematically dismantled existing governmental structures. Between 1933 and 1935, decrees abolished the existing Länder (constituent states) and replaced them with new administrative divisions called Gaue, governed by Nazi leaders (Gauleiters)5. This administrative restructuring was never fully implemented, resulting in a bureaucratic tangle of overlapping jurisdictions typical of the Nazi regime5.

The process of Gleichschaltung (forced coordination) ensured Nazi control at all levels. Jewish civil servants lost their jobs in 1933, except for those who had served in World War I. The Reich Local Government Law of 1935 abolished local elections, with mayors instead being appointed by the Ministry of the Interior5. These measures effectively eliminated democratic processes and centralized control under Hitler and the Nazi Party.

The Significance of Historical Parallels

The controversy surrounding Musk’s appearance and gestures raises important questions about historical awareness and responsibility. While the haircut photos were from 2021, their resurfacing in conjunction with the salute controversy has created a perfect storm of public scrutiny1 2.

Musk remains a highly influential and polarizing figure, with significant power in both the private sector and now in government through his role in the Trump administration7. The reactions to his appearance and gestures highlight how symbols associated with historical atrocities continue to evoke strong emotional responses.

Whether intentional or not, when public figures adopt appearances or gestures reminiscent of controversial historical figures, they inevitably invite comparison and criticism. These controversies serve as reminders of the importance of historical awareness and the lasting impact of symbols associated with one of history’s darkest periods.

The controversies surrounding Elon Musk’s haircut and alleged salute demonstrate the enduring sensitivity around Nazi symbolism in contemporary society. While some may view the comparisons as overreactions, others argue that public figures should be mindful of how their actions and appearances might be perceived, especially when they occupy positions of significant influence and power.

The historical context of Nazi Germany’s methods of control reminds us why such symbols remain powerfully charged. The Nazi regime’s comprehensive system of governance, built on absolute obedience, personality cult, and deliberate administrative chaos, led to unprecedented atrocities. The symbols associated with this regime—from salutes to aesthetic choices—continue to carry profound weight in our collective memory.

As society continues to navigate these controversies, they serve as opportunities to reflect on history’s lessons and the responsibilities that come with public visibility and influence in today’s world.

The Haircut Controversy

The Salute Incident

History of the Nazi Salute

Hitler’s Government Control

The Significance of Historical Parallels

Citations:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply