Autistism is Not an Excuse: Elon Musk, a Dangerous Salute, and the Harmful Misinformation About Neurodiversity

Representation matters. And public figures—especially those who are autistic—shape how the world sees us. That’s why, when I saw the video of Elon Musk performing what appeared to be a Nazi salute during Donald Trump’s inauguration, I felt a deep sense of dread and heartbreak. It wasn’t just the act itself, though that alone was jarring enough. It was the realization of what would follow: the excuses, the defenses, and, inevitably, the invocation of his autism to explain away the inexcusable.