Conservatives are raising alarms about a perceived double standard in media coverage, particularly regarding the hand gestures of politicians. The focus has shifted to recent events surrounding newly minted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who, during his inauguration, extended his arm in a way many believe echoes a gesture made by Elon Musk that triggered a firestorm of accusations last year.
In January 2025, during Trump’s inauguration, Musk’s gesture was labeled a “Nazi salute” by various media outlets, seemingly for the crime of extending his arm while thanking supporters. The backlash was swift and intense, with articles spanning from the Guardian to Vox fueling a narrative that linked Musk to fascism. Fast forward to Mamdani’s recent inauguration, where he mimicked that same gesture, yet the media response was markedly different. Popular conservative voices noted the silence from major media organizations that once rushed to judgment against Musk. “Not a single one of these legacy media outlets reported on Mamdani’s identical hand gesture,” tweeted the conservative X account Libs of TikTok, highlighting the inconsistency in coverage.
Many critics see this disparity as a glaring example of media bias. Brandon Straka, founder of WalkAway, remarked, “Zohran Mamdani did the same exact gesture today… They lie.” This sentiment has gained traction among right-leaning commentators, with Musk himself responding to the outcry, stating simply, “They lie.” The idea is that when a conservative figure, such as Musk, makes a similar gesture, it is met with harsh condemnation, while liberals like Mamdani receive a pass.
Eric Daugherty, a conservative commentator, emphasized the hypocrisy, stating, “The media is the enemy of the people,” reflecting a widespread frustration within conservative circles. Some have even gone as far as to suggest that the left takes advantage of such gestures for political gain, pointing out how Musk’s use of the gesture was weaponized to tarnish his reputation. As one user put it, “The left tried to use that signal from Elon to gaslight people into thinking he is a Nazi.”
When Mamdani lifted his hand to the crowd, it elicited praise rather than scrutiny. “When Mamdani does it, it’s perfectly fine,” added another critic, underscoring the notion that media narratives are tailored by political affiliations. This troubling trend extends beyond mere gestures, with the left often using political power to dismiss facts that don’t support their agenda.
Mamdani, who has declared himself a democratic socialist, made bold promises during his inauguration. “Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously,” he said, signaling a commitment to using government power to enact change. Yet, more than his words, the manner in which he engages with the public—coupled with a media environment that seems selective in its outrage—continues to draw scrutiny.
Musk’s history with the Trump administration as a public leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) adds another layer to this complex narrative. After initially being an outspoken supporter, he later criticized Trump’s economic initiatives, fracturing their relationship. Still, Musk has long been a target of media and political attacks, consistently battling against comparisons to Nazism. He characterized those attacks as part of a “relentless propaganda campaign.”
As the dialogue continues to unfold, the contrasting receptions of Musk and Mamdani’s gestures reveal a deeper issue within media dynamics. The relentless pursuit of a narrative often overshadows facts, creating a battleground that favors those who align with a preferred political stance. In a climate where symbolism can dictate conversations, the stakes for accountability in media are higher than ever, underscoring a need for consistency that remains out of reach. The ongoing discourse about who gets labeled and why illustrates a reality that many in the political landscape are grappling with: the power of perception in the age of information warfare.
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