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."

In a speech at President Donald Trump’s inaugural rally, Musk raised his right arm in the air twice in a row in a gesture some compared to a Nazi salute.

He previously floated a joint venture, saying that the US should be entitled to half of the app.