Musk's gesture, which some called a "Nazi salute," sparked outrage among Democratic lawmakers, as well as politicians in Europe.

One Trump ally told Politico that “It’s clear he has abused the proximity to the president” in his attack on Altman—which pretty quickly devolved from “they don’t have the money” to presenting Altman as a spineless flip-flopper who trashed Trump during his first term but is sucking up to him now.