Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) clashed throughout her affirmation listening to with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) over comparisons of Elon Musk’s gesture throughout an inauguration day speech to a Nazi salute.
“What do you think of Elon Musk, perhaps the president’s most visible advisor, doing two Heil Hitler salutes last night at the president’s televised rally?” Murphy requested Stefanik, who’s Trump’s decide to guide the United Nations, after she raised considerations about “antisemitic rot” within the worldwide group.
“No, Elon Musk did not do those salutes,” stated Stefanik. “I was not at the rally, but I can tell you I’ve been at many rallies with Elon Musk, who loves to cheer when President Trump says we need to send our U.S. space program to Mars. Elon Musk is a visionary.”
She stated she’s wanting ahead to working with the tech mogul, whom Trump has tapped to guide the “Department of Government Efficiency.”
“That is simply not the case,” Stefanik stated of the comparability. “The American people are smart, they see through it, they support Elon Musk, we are proud to be a country of such successful entrepreneurs.”
A gesture from Musk throughout an inauguration day occasion drew swift backlash as some in contrast his motion to a Nazi salute. Musk has dismissed the criticism, saying on X that “the ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a nonprofit geared at combating antisemitism, additionally defended Musk for making “an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.”
However Murphy pressed the would-be UN envoy by declaring that right-wing extremists have appeared to acknowledge or have fun the gesture.
“Over and over last night, white supremacist groups and neo-nazi groups in this country rallied around that visual. Does it concern you that those elements of the neo-nazi and white supremacist element in the United States believe that what they saw last night was a neo-nazi salute?” the senator requested.
Stefanik stated what considerations her is that “these are the questions you believe are most important to ask to the UN ambassador,” and he or she pledged to be a “beacon of light” in opposition to antisemitism on the UN. The previous Home GOP convention chair has been an outspoken advocate in opposition to antisemitism, and referred to as Israel through the listening to “our most precious ally.”
“These are the questions I choose to ask because I think that your work and the administration’s work on antisemitism only comes with real impact and credibility if it holds both right and left accountable,” Murphy retorted.
“I simply don’t believe that if a member of the ‘squad’ made that same gesture last night that there wouldn’t be commentary from you and others,” Murphy stated, making reference to the casual group of progressive lawmakers within the Home.
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