Social Media Divided Over Mamdani Gesture: Nazi Salute or Innocent Wave?
Viral clip sparks fierce debate over Mamdani's inauguration move.
New York City's newly inaugurated mayor, Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist of Ugandan-Indian origin, became embroiled in a swift and intense social media controversy on January 1, 2026, as short video clips from his public swearing-in ceremony outside City Hall circulated widely, capturing him briefly extending his right arm outward while speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of thousands.
Critics, predominantly from Make America Great Again circles and right-wing commentators, swiftly interpreted the momentary gesture as resembling a Nazi salute, with numerous posts on X amplifying the claims and directly likening it to a highly publicized similar incident involving billionaire Elon Musk during celebrations for President Donald Trump's second inauguration on January 20, 2025, where Musk's arm movement had also ignited global accusations of fascist symbolism.
Supporters and numerous online defenders vigorously rejected the allegations, characterizing Mamdani's action as nothing more than a standard, enthusiastic wave or a raised fist intended for emphasis and solidarity during a passionate speech, pointing out that it involved placing his hand on his chest first before extending it in gratitude, and stressing the absence of any palm-down rigidity typical of historical Nazi salutes, while accusing detractors of deliberate decontextualization for political gain.
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The polarized reactions on social media highlighted perceived double standards in public scrutiny and media coverage, with several users compiling lists of outlets that extensively reported on Musk's gesture but remained silent on Mamdani's, fueling broader discussions about bias, while others demanded accountability regardless of political affiliation, though no official response emerged from the mayor's office amid the rapidly escalating online discourse.
In a historic ceremony marking him as New York City's first Muslim, first South Asian, and youngest mayor in generations, Mamdani was first privately sworn in just after midnight on New Year's Eve in a decommissioned subway station by Attorney General Letitia James, placing his hand on two Qurans, before the public event administered by Senator Bernie Sanders, where he delivered an impassioned inaugural address pledging to govern "expansively and audaciously," prioritize affordability for working-class New Yorkers, and express profound thanks to his parents, his wife Rama Duwaji, and his extended family roots spanning from Kampala, Uganda, to Delhi, India.
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