The Roman salute is conditionally allowed in Italy and outright banned in Germany. German chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to Musk's gesture by saying, "We have the freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany," he said, "what we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme right positions."

Anti-Defamation League Chief Executive Jonathan Greenblatt said he didn't think Elon Musk's viral gesture to the crowd at a Monday celebration of President Trump was offensive, after it drew comparisons on social media to a Nazi salute.