Musk’s Ex Grimes Addresses His Very Evocative Salute
Elon Musk’s baby mama Grimes wants the world to know: She is against Nazism.
She made the statement in the hours following a particularly evocative salute made by Musk on stage during President Donald Trump’s inaugural proceedings—which many online have likened to the “Sieg Heil” gesture used in Nazi Germany.
“I’m happy to denounce Nazism and the far alt-right,” the Canadian singer, 36, posted on X as fans expressed frustration at her silence on Musk’s controversial gesture.
I'm happy to denounce Nazi-ism - and the far alt right. Would that help clear things up? I've just gotten out of breakfast and have to catch a flight, and am still debating how to approach things diplomatically because I feel in over my head. But if there's concern about that,…
— 𝖦𝗋𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗌 ⏳ (@Grimezsz) January 21, 2025
Grimes, whose legal name is Claire Elise Boucher, said she wasn’t aware that the father of her three kids had starred in yet another controversy.
“[I] am still debating how to approach things diplomatically because I feel in over my head,” she wrote. “But if there’s concern about that, I am happy to set the record straight in a meaningful way.”
At Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Musk came on stage to give a brief speech and concluded with two salutes that many have likened to the Nazi or Roman salute.
A Grimes fan later said they were considering getting rid of their tattoo of the artist over the issue, prompting the singer to issue a lengthy response.
While I deeply respect your concern- it is unhealthy that people are this upset when I have not even been online yet today and am only just learning about this controversy now. I don't know what happened and I will not make a rash statement - I am not a citizen of this country.…
— 𝖦𝗋𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗌 ⏳ (@Grimezsz) January 21, 2025
“It’s absurd that someone can be this canceled for something their ex did before they even heard it happened,” Grimes said. “I am not him. I will not make a statement every time he does something.”
The singer argued that she was not a U.S. citizen and did not want to issue a rash statement before knowing what happened.
“I promise you it doesn’t feel good to be hated all the time for things I don’t even know about, cannot predict, and cannot control. But I also chose this path, I accept it. I make the best of it, and I simply wish happiness and health to all,” she added.
MAGA world—and even the antisemitism watchdog Anti-Defamation League—quickly offered their own interpretations of Musk’s salute, with some suggesting it was a gesture from the heart and others claiming the tech billionaire was just awkward.
For white nationalists, the salute was a source of glee: “I don’t care if this was a mistake,” notorious far-right figure Christopher Polhaus posted. “I’m going to enjoy the tears over it.”