Elon Musk, Trump's Inauguration, and Early Days in Office: Tellwut Members' Reactions
Billionaire Elon Musk's hand gesture during a celebration of U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration has sparked controversy, with some comparing it to a Nazi salute. However, a leading tracker of antisemitism suggested it was merely a moment of enthusiasm.
Musk dismissed the criticism as a "tired" attack. He bit his bottom lip, thumped his right hand over his heart with fingers spread wide, then extended his right arm outward at an upward angle, palm down and fingers together. He then turned and repeated the gesture to the crowd behind him." My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured," Musk stated as he completed the motion.
The gesture was heavily scrutinized online. When asked, "Do you agree that Musk did the Nazi salute to the people?", 49% of Tellwutters said yes, 31% said no, and 20% were undecided. "If not a nazi salute it was a pretty good imitation. " said Tellwut member jkebeans while member 97B40 disagrees, stating "Musk held his closed fist to his chest then raised his arm with hand extended that is Hollywood s version of a Roman salute as illustrated in Monty Python s Life of Brian. "
When asked further, 27% agreed with the statement: "Elon himself readily admits he is a geek and suggests that with all that he has accomplished and the way he has done it, it is hardly surprising that he is not 'normal.'" Additionally, 25% agreed that "Elon Musk has Asperger’s. People with Asperger’s may have trouble relating to others, understanding social cues, and making friends. Elon does not really know what is appropriate and what is not. Crowds make him excited but unpredictably so." Member NMCB3299 commented "Using Aspergers as a crutch for antisocial behavior is disgusting. It was hideous when Adam Lanza burst into a classroom filled with 6- and 7-year-olds and shot many of them to death along with their teachers. It is just as tasteless when a grown man with a very high profile does a Nazi salute and tried to use that condition as an excuse as well. Most people who have the condition struggle daily to act normally and hold onto jobs." while Crissy003 said "A neurodivergent man enthusiastically made a gesture after saying, "My heart goes out to you," (which the mainstream propaganda narrative conveniently left out) and of course they had to run with the 'Nazi' rhetoric. Only the most gullible and low-information, emotionally-driven people are still falling for this nonsense."
Trump's Pardons and Public Opinion
On Monday, President Donald Trump issued roughly 1,500 pardons and commuted the sentences of 14 of his supporters in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The riot occurred as thousands of his followers stormed the Capitol, fueled by his false claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
When asked if Trump did the right thing by issuing these pardons, 21% of Tellwut respondents said yes, 64% said no, and 14% were undecided. susand24224 wrote "This should not be a partisan issue. Regardless of what one thought of Trump, regardless of whether he instigated it, people who commit violent acts and intentionally destroy property should not be pardoned, particularly when showing no remorse. "
Trump's Clash with the Episcopal Church
On the Wednesday following his inauguration, President Trump demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde. During a prayer service, Budde appealed to Trump to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers in the U.S. illegally.
"You have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," Budde said. Trump responded harshly, stating, "Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!"
When asked if they believed the bishop should apologize, 30% of Tellwut respondents said yes, 55% said no, and 16% were unsure. Tellwut member Honky commented "Calling Right Rev. Mariann Budde "nasty" should give you an idea of how Trump feels about religion. Mercy is what Jesus taught, he would do well to read those parts of the Bible, which he "loves all of". UspateSC differs in their opinion, writing "The bishop was grandstanding and virtue-signaling with meaningless comments about mercy and compassion. "
Trump's Executive Orders: Public Support and Opposition
Tellwut members were asked which of Trump's executive orders they agreed with the most. The most supported measure was Trump's emergency declaration at the U.S.-Mexico border, vowing to deploy troops, including the National Guard, with 35% approval.
Conversely, the least popular order was the rescission of Biden’s 2022 directive to lower the cost of prescription drugs, with only 11% agreeing with this decision.
The Third-Term Debate: Should Presidents Serve More Than Two Terms?
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution allowing Trump to serve a third term, arguing that the nation "can sustain the bold leadership our country so desperately needs." Currently, U.S. presidents are limited to two terms by the 22nd Amendment.
When asked if the Constitution should be amended to allow a third presidential term, 18% of respondents said yes, 64% said no, and 18% were undecided.
Which President Would You Want for a Third Term?
If given the option, Tellwut members selected Barack Obama as the president they would most want to serve a third term, with 38% choosing him. Donald Trump came in second with 22%, while 21% said they would prefer no third term for any recent president. Bill Clinton received 10% support, while George W. Bush garnered 8%.
Conclusion
The early days of Trump’s presidency were marked by controversy, strong opinions, and deep political divisions. From Musk’s debated gestures to Trump’s executive actions and pardons, public opinion remains split on many key issues. The data from Tellwut reflects the ongoing debates about leadership, accountability, and governance in the U.S.