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."

A gesture associated with the Nazis has a surprising history. But in Germany, there was little doubt about its meaning.

When Elon Musk performed a gesture that many saw as a fascist gesture, his supporters claimed it was a Roman salute. So what’s the difference?