The Wall Street Journal raced to the defense of the world’s richest man on Wednesday evening to ward off what it claimed was “disinformation” peddled by Democrats, who soundly rebuked Elon Musk over his salute that drew comparisons to a Hitler salute.
Musk put his hand on his chest and then raised it in a salute during a speech to a cheering MAGA crowd at President Donald Trump’s inauguration rally earlier this week.
Critics including Democrats and historians expressed outrage over the gesture.
“What do you think of Elon Musk, perhaps the President’s most visible adviser, doing two ‘heil Hitler’ salutes last night at the President’s televised rally?” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) asked Elise Stefanik, nominated to be Ambassador to the United Nations.
The Journal’s editorial board took issue with such criticisms.
“What an object lesson in the laundering of a kooky online smear,” the board railed Wednesday evening. “Roll back the tape, and Mr. Musk is reacting to a roaring arena as he says the 2024 election really mattered, and his heart goes out to the crowd. He slaps his chest and waves an arm toward the audience. The peanut gallery on social media went nuts, suggesting it was an intentional Nazi salute, which mainstream outlets then cited to justify covering the supposed controversy.
The editorial board noted that the Anti-Defamation League, an organization dedicated to combatting antisemitism, publicly defended Musk as well, writing on Musk’s X platform: “This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety. It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge.”
Musk, the Journal argued, might just be “awkward.”
It pointed to a “Saturday Night Live” segment in which Musk joked he may make history as “the first person with Asperger’s to host.” The board also pointed to his less-than-graceful leap at a Trump campaign rally last year, in which he exposed part of his midriff.
“No, he’s really a Nazi, some Democrats now say,” chided the Journal, before quoting Rep. Jerrold Nadler saying, “I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal. I urge all of my colleagues to unite in condemning this hateful gesture for what it is: antisemitism.”
“There it is, the birth of a partisan talking point—and the spreading of disinformation,” the editorial board concluded.
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How immature can you be: Senator Murphy/Rep Nadler/Democrats? They act like idiots. They looked like a bunch of dogs fighting over a bone – as to who was going to run with it.
President Donald Trump addresses the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, marking his first major appearance at an international event since returning to the White House earlier this week.
Does anyone ever remember when we were growing up that – in public, at work, or at any event – you didn’t discuss religion at work/in public/or any event due to religious freedom and due to each person having their individual belief system?
Was this a deliberate attack to embarrass the new President?
When you have an axe to grind with an individual – you don’t grind it in public like this. This could have accomplished more in a meeting of sorts. Now, this only put a wedge on the subject for starters.
Religion should have never gotten involved with Soros and the One World Order. Sure – a lot of people were displaced around the world; but, now we have nothing but a world wide upheaval which broke a lot of laws under the U.S. Constitution caused by the rogue Democrats and wars. This same thing could have been accomplished under the laws of each country. We have people who have been standing in line for years to enter the U.S. and look what happened to that program because of the influx of immigrants.
Look what the Democrats did to our country with Biden and inflation and the poor people who have been hurt – and the debt. The preacher didn’t mention Biden and how badly he has treated the citizens.
The President promised to help everyone – not one specific people which the preacher requested.
We must get religion out of our politics and put it back in the proper place – the church.
Religion/politics are like oil and water – it is impossible to mix the two as history tells us.
Let the clergy handle the people/religion in church and let the politicians handle the politics in the government square.
The Preacher needs to run for political office if she wants to be involved in the political arena.
In order to have civility – we must have unity and put both of them in their proper place for the country to work properly. People need both – the church/government in their respective roles.
The Episcopal bishop of Washington used the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral Tuesday to directly address President Donald Trump, urging him to “have mercy” and compassion for LGBTQ people and undocumented migrant workers.Read More
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President Donald Trump, left, and first lady Melania Trump attend the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Read More
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Rev. Mariann Budde leads the national prayer service attended by President Donald Trump at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington after she made a direct appeal to him during a prayer service marking his inauguration to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers who are in the United States illegally.
Referencing Trump’s belief that he was saved by God from assassination, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde said, “You have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
After he returned to the White House, Trump said, “I didn’t think it was a good service” and “they could do much better.” But later, in an overnight post on his social media site, he sharply criticized the “so-called Bishop” as a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.”
“She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart,” said Trump, a Republican, adding that Budde didn’t mention that some migrants have come to the United States and killed people.
“Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job!” Trump said. “She and her church owe the public an apology!”
The Washington National Cathedral service was largely focused on national unity. Trump and Vice President JD Vance and their families attended, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump’s defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth.
In her sermon, Budde said they gathered “to pray for unity as a people and a nation — not for agreement, political or otherwise — but for the kind of unity that fosters community across diversity and division.”
She added, “Unity is not partisan.”
Evangelicals were at the service but not on the program
(Why not?)
More than a dozen religious leaders spoke during the interfaith service, including those from Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
Notably absent from the invited clergy with speaking roles were conservative evangelicals, who are among Trump’s strongest supporters.
Nonetheless, some of those evangelical supporters were in the pews.
In attendance were Robert Jeffress, a longtime Trump supporter and pastor of Dallas’ First Baptist Church; Paula White-Cain, a televangelist and key spiritual adviser during Trump’s first term; and Lorenzo Sewell, the pastor of Detroit’s 180 Church, who gave a spirited benediction at Monday’s inauguration.
A new kind of inaugural prayer service
The Washington National Cathedral has hosted 10 official inaugural prayer services for presidents of both major political parties. The tradition dates back to 1933.
The latest service had a different emphasis than previous ones. Its focus was on the nation instead of the new administration — a plan made before Election Day.
“We are in a unique moment in our country’s history, and it is time to approach this differently,” said the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, dean of the Episcopal cathedral, in an October statement. “This will be a service for all Americans, for the well-being of our nation, for our democracy.”
The texts and songs revolved around themes of compassion and togetherness, including a reading from Deuteronomy 10:17-21, which speaks of taking care of orphans and widows and all who are in need.
Sermons at inaugural services have often been given by ministers aligned with the incoming administration. In 2021, the Rev. William Barber, a progressive civil rights leader, preached before President Joe Biden, a Democrat, at the cathedral.
Budde, who gave this year’s sermon, has joined other cathedral leaders in criticizing Trump previously, rebuking his “racialized rhetoric” and blaming him for inciting violence on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to keep him in power.
Budde was “outraged” in 2020 after Trump staged an appearance in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, which is near the White House. He held up a Bible after the area had been cleared of peaceful protesters.
Her sermon directed at Trump on Tuesday provoked a lively reaction on social media. Austen Ivereigh, a biographer of Pope Francis, wrote on X that the bishop “named the truth” when she spoke to Trump and Vance. “Their expressions of fury and discomfort suggest she nailed it,” Ivereigh said.
Jeffress, in contrast, posted on X that Budde “insulted rather than encouraged our great president” and that “there was palpable disgust in the audience with her words.”
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Music made for Trump
The one part of Tuesday’s service that seemed tailor-made for Trump was the inclusion of opera singer Christopher Macchio, who also sang the national anthem at the inauguration.
The tenor sang “Ave Maria,” a favorite song of Trump and one that Macchio sang at a Trump rally and the Republican National Convention.
Before the service began, Macchio performed hymns like “How Great Thou Art” and another Trump favorite, “Hallelujah,” written by Leonard Cohen.
As the prayer service neared its end, Trump joined others in singing “America the Beautiful.”
Trump also thanked many of the clergy members who participated as they processed past him — except for Budde, whom he did not acknowledge.
With hysteria and fear toward Trump, and condemnation and shock about his conservative agenda, progressives and much of the mainstream media are reacting in ways that show just why Trump won.
Progressives have had more than two months to adjust to the stunning notion that more than 77 million people voted for Trump because they want a conservative agenda to fix what now former President Joe Biden and other Democrats broke.
Even so, it appears that no amount of time was enough to help progressives recover from this tragedy − otherwise known as democracy in action.
Here are a few examples how liberals are melting down now that Trump is back in the White House:
On MSNBC, Tara Setmayer said Trump and his billionaire cronies have “duped” America. Hey, way to insult the intelligence of 77 million Americans.
MSNBC also featured a segment claiming that Black America is in a “state of emergency” because of Trump’s return. You know, because Trump is a racist.
MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow was appalled by Trump’s inauguration. “How is this happening?” Maddow asked when she saw Department of Homeland Security nominee Kristi Noem sitting next to Apple CEO Tim Cook at the ceremony. “Why are people with tons of money up on the dais with Cabinet nominees and family members?” It’s bad, you see, when billionaires cozy up to Republicans, but perfectly fine when billionaires shower Democrats with money.
Staying at MSNBC, the home of progressive angst, Chris Hayes said Trump reminds him of a cult leader: “The obsession of Trump’s rhetoric is always a theme of national decline and national humiliation. And there’s something strange about hearing it the second time. It’s a little like a cult leader that keeps predicting different days for the end of the world.”
At ABC News, David Muir slammed the idea that Trump is popular or that many Americans support his ideas. “So much is made about Donald Trump and the mandate, even though from a popular vote standpoint it was a relatively close election,” he said. Never mind that our elections are determined by the Electoral College. Trump won 31 states, from Florida to Alaska, Arizona to Pennsylvania. That’s an extraordinary feat, one that shows a broad and deep swath of America wants what Trump has promised.
Leftist meltdowns show lack of respect for democracy
I’m all for watching − and laughing at − the left’s temper tantrums, but I have problems with members of the mainstream media, who hold clout and influence, melting down because the duly elected president has now taken office.
Does anyone else feel like progressives have had a sudden conversion experience about holding the commander in chief accountable? For four years, the left was relatively quiet when it came to criticizing the Biden administration, or heck, even just being honest about what they observed with his physical and mental health decline.
Now that Trump is back in office, they are enlightened. Now they can see and hear everything the president is doing, has done and may do in the future. Amazing.
Progressives’ hysterical reaction to Trump’s return also shows a disturbing lack of self-awareness and increasing disdain for their fellow Americans. When Biden was president, they preached unity and said our diversity was our strength.
Now that a Republican is president, they have no problem not only smearing him but also those Americans who don’t share their ideology. The left’s demagoguery seems boundless.
Rather than trying to understand why so many people might look at Trump’s conservative agenda as a salve for what ails this country − the harsh consequences of a descent into liberalism that hurt our economy, military, border security and foreign relationships − the left refuses to accept or understand it.
This is why Trump won: Progressives know how to talk only to themselves, while discounting and insulting the many Americans who voted in this past election for wholesale change.
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