Elon Musk, head of Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), lashed out at media critics and denied allegations of white supremacist sympathies in a Fox News interview released Friday. “It’s an outrageous thing to claim that I’m a Nazi,” Musk said, suggesting that if his detractors could “press a button” to kill him, “they would.” But, he added, “since I’m a little difficult to kill, they are doing character assassination instead.”
Musk’s comments follow months of growing criticism. At Trump’s post-inauguration rally, he delivered a straight-arm salute interpreted by many, including his estranged daughter, as a Sieg Heil. His actions since purchasing Twitter, X now, have further intensified scrutiny.
Musk restored previously banned white supremacist accounts, and in March, during sweeping federal layoffs under DOGE, he shared a post implying that dictators like Stalin, Hitler, and Mao didn’t kill millions—“public workers did.” After backlash, he deleted the post.
Shortly after the inauguration, Musk also addressed a campaign event for Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland party, warning Germans against losing their culture to “multiculturalism.” “Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great grandparents,” he said at the time.
Speaking to Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law and Fox News host, Musk said the “relentless propaganda campaign” against him mirrors the treatment of Donald Trump. “They’ve also called President Trump a Nazi… but he also is not a violent person, and, in fact, has done a lot to prevent wars,” Musk said. “That’s the very opposite of being a Nazi.”
Lara Trump sympathized with Musk, referencing his childhood in Apartheid-era South Africa. “I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of horrific things,” she said. “To be called a Nazi… that must be really hard for you.”
Musk, in turn, blamed media manipulation: “If you repeat a lie—‘he’s a Nazi’—enough times, some people actually believe it… especially people that still believe the legacy news.” He cited CNN specifically, criticizing the outlet but exempting conservative commentator Scott Jennings.
In January, Musk’s mother encouraged him on X to sue CNN after Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell challenged Jennings on air about Musk’s gesture. “Why don’t you do it on TV right now if you think it’s so banal?” Rampell asked. Jennings declined.
As Musk faces increased unpopularity amid drastic government downsizing, DOGE policies have led to protests, vandalism, and arson at Tesla dealerships. His critics have dubbed Tesla vehicles “swasticars.” In March, Musk revealed he and his DOGE team receive daily death threats.
Still, he remains defiant. “I’ve not harmed anyone in my life,” Musk said. “But it is disappointing how well propaganda works.”