Elon spoke about the awkward arm salute on Joe Rogan. They discuss and show a video of Tim Walz making the exact same gesture. What is the point of trying to make it anything else but an awkward arm gesture?
2. MAGA has picked up on it. Bannon did it at CPAC and a right wing influencer just got fired over it. Previously a priest was defrocked for doing it at an anti-abortion event. He was very consciously mimicking Elon.
This is the point of Meghan’s podcast. The online right is getting so into noxious “jokes” that it’s consequential in people’s lives. As it breaks containment into the broader culture, it creates a backlash against the Republican Party.
Thank you, Meghan, this was so interesting! I have been on Twitter/X for years but have never joined any groups and avoid following people who might upset me, so I follow science leaders I admire, for example, and my brother in law who posts bird photos. I very much enjoyed the conversation between you and River Page
Elon spoke about the awkward arm salute on Joe Rogan. They discuss and show a video of Tim Walz making the exact same gesture. What is the point of trying to make it anything else but an awkward arm gesture?
1. Elon lies a lot.
2. MAGA has picked up on it. Bannon did it at CPAC and a right wing influencer just got fired over it. Previously a priest was defrocked for doing it at an anti-abortion event. He was very consciously mimicking Elon.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/30/michigan-priest-salute
This is the point of Meghan’s podcast. The online right is getting so into noxious “jokes” that it’s consequential in people’s lives. As it breaks containment into the broader culture, it creates a backlash against the Republican Party.
Thank you, Meghan, this was so interesting! I have been on Twitter/X for years but have never joined any groups and avoid following people who might upset me, so I follow science leaders I admire, for example, and my brother in law who posts bird photos. I very much enjoyed the conversation between you and River Page
Great to have you back!