GOP Politician Resigns After Copying Elon Musk's Nazi-ish Salute

LOADING ERROR LOADING A Pennsylvania politician has resigned after posting a video where she mimicked Elon Musk’s infamous hand gesture at Donald Trump’s inauguration, which has been widely likened to a Nazi salute. “Hope you’re doing OK.” Smith later told Philadelphia NBC affiliate WCAU in a statement that her video “has been greatly mischaracterized,” and that she removed the clip because she didn’t want to “give offense.” “I abhor racism, anti-Semitic or discrimination in any fashion or form and my record as a township supervisor attests to my commitment to treat all people with dignity and respect,” she said. Two of Smith’s colleagues on the township board condemned her post to Philadelphia ABC affiliate WPVI, calling it “repugnant” and “blatant antisemitism.” Musk has been dismissive of the criticisms against him. The Anti-Defamation League initially encouraged people to give Musk some grace, saying he’d “made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.” However, after Musk tweeted his Nazi wordplay, ADL executive director Jonathan Greenblatt addressed Musk on X, writing: “The Holocaust was a singularly evil event, and it is inappropriate and offensive to make light of it. The Holocaust is not a joke.” As for Smith, Andrew Goretsky, ADL Philadelphia regional director, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that her actions had “impacted and caused harm to the community which must be acknowledged.” On Sunday, Smith announced her resignation on the Towamencin Township website, to “allow the Township to move forward without the encumbrance of the fallout of my video.” Go Ad-Free — And Protect The Free Press The next four years will change America forever.