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Spain’s Deputy PM Yolanda Diaz Withdraws from Elon Musk’s X Platform

Spanish Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz announced her decision to leave Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, citing concerns over the platform’s algorithmic influence and Musk’s recent behavior during President Donald Trump’s inauguration-related events.

Key Points:

  • Diaz’s Decision: Yolanda Diaz explained her withdrawal from X, emphasizing her refusal to be part of a platform that promotes xenophobic ideas, undermines human rights, and supports the far-right.
  • Musk’s Actions: Diaz’s move followed criticism of Elon Musk’s behavior at an event tied to Trump’s inauguration, where Musk’s arm gesture was controversially compared to a Nazi salute. While Musk dismissed the allegations, the Anti-Defamation League described the gesture as an awkward moment of enthusiasm.
  • Broader Political Reactions: Other members of Diaz’s left-wing Sumar party also plan to cease using X for personal and political posts. The Spanish government clarified that Diaz’s decision was personal, with each minister free to choose their preferred digital platforms.
  • European Shift: Diaz’s departure follows similar moves from German ministries and UK universities, which have distanced themselves from X amid growing concerns over the platform’s direction under Musk’s ownership.

Elon Musk’s Hand Gesture During Trump’s Inauguration Sparks Controversy

Billionaire Elon Musk’s hand gesture during a speech at the celebration for President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday has drawn scrutiny online, with some comparing it to a Nazi salute. However, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and other commentators defended Musk, describing the gesture as one of enthusiasm rather than a symbol of hate.

Key Details:

  • The Gesture: Musk, speaking at the Capital One Arena in Washington, gestured with his right hand over his heart and then extended his arm upwards at an angle, palm down. The movements quickly gained attention from online critics, with some questioning whether it resembled a Nazi salute.
  • Musk’s Response: Musk dismissed the criticism as a “tired” attack, attributing the gesture to a moment of enthusiasm. He responded on his social media platform X, suggesting that critics were overreacting to a simple expression of excitement.
  • Antisemitism Concerns: While some online users made the Nazi comparison, the ADL said the gesture seemed awkward but not intentional in its association with Nazi symbolism. The ADL acknowledged that people are on edge but argued the context showed Musk’s gesture was simply a display of enthusiasm.
  • Political Scrutiny: The controversy also touched on Musk’s political positions, particularly his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has been labeled extremist by German security services. Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish community in Munich, described the gesture as “highly irritating,” focusing on Musk’s political affiliations rather than the gesture itself.
  • Social Media Reactions: Some users on X defended Musk, arguing that he was simply expressing heartfelt gratitude, and criticized the online scrutiny of his actions.

Tech Billionaires, CEOs, and Foreign Diplomats Attend Trump’s Inauguration

Several high-profile tech billionaires, CEOs, and international figures attended U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday. The event saw prominent figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Mukesh Ambani, among others, marking a key moment for the world’s wealthiest and most influential individuals.

Notable Inauguration Day Attendees

  • Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX, X): The world’s richest man, Musk, played a significant role in supporting Trump’s election campaign and is now expected to lead initiatives aimed at improving U.S. government efficiency.
  • Shou Zi Chew (TikTok): TikTok’s CEO attended after Trump helped restore the app’s U.S. service, following concerns about its Chinese ownership.
  • Mark Zuckerberg (Meta Platforms): Zuckerberg has worked to mend relations with the Trump administration, especially after scaling back certain content moderation policies that were criticized by conservative supporters.
  • Miriam Adelson: The casino magnate and major Trump supporter helped fund Trump’s super PAC, which supported his first presidential campaign.
  • Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries): The Indian billionaire and head of the conglomerate Reliance Industries also attended, strengthening ties with the U.S. business and political scene.
  • Bernard Arnault and the Arnault Family (LVMH): LVMH’s CEO and his family, known as France’s wealthiest, attended, underscoring their global influence in the luxury goods sector.
  • Jeff Bezos (Amazon): Amazon’s founder and chair, along with his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, arrived at the ceremony, with Bezos continuing to play a significant role in media and tech.
  • Sundar Pichai (Google): Pichai represented Alphabet (Google), a company that had also contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund.
  • Boris Johnson (Former UK Prime Minister): The former British Prime Minister, dubbed “Britain Trump” by Trump himself, attended the ceremony and continued his strong stance on Ukrainian support.