Multiple subreddits ban X links protesting Musk’s “Nazi” salute

Reacting to Elon Musk’s alleged Nazi salute at U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, over 50 subreddits have banned links from X in posts and comments on the Reddit platform. Several other subreddits are debating whether they should go ahead with the ban. 

While some of these communities are small with about hundred users, others have nearly five million members. 

“While we strive to remain neutral and avoid political bias, we firmly believe that opposing Nazi symbolism is not, and should not be, a political matter. Hate speech and its promotion have never been acceptable in our community,” a mod announcement from the subreddit for the series ‘The Boys’ said. The note then advised members who wanted to post a tweet to screenshot, crop and share it as an image. 

The subreddit has 1.6 million members. 

The decision started with the r/newjersey subreddit partially, creating a ripple effect across other subreddits within the last day. 

During Musk’s speech, he raised his arm in what looked similar to a Nazi salute and repeated the gesture again. While some said the Tesla CEO didn’t intend to do a Nazi salute, historians condemned the action and right wing extremists like ‘White Lives Matter’ celebrated online.