Singer Grimes has stated she is “happy to denounce Nazi-ism and the far alt-right” following controversy surrounding her ex-partner Elon Musk’s gesture at a Trump inauguration event.
The 36-year-old artist, whose real name is Claire Elise Boucher, made the statement on social media platform X after facing pressure from fans to address the incident.
The mother of three of Musk’s children initially hesitated to make an immediate response, explaining she needed time to research the situation properly.
“I’m still debating how to approach things diplomatically because I feel in over my head,” she wrote, promising to “set the record straight in a meaningful way.”
The controversy erupted when Musk, 53, made a gesture with his hand and arm during his speech at Trump’s inauguration.
The Tesla CEO ended his address by placing his hand on his heart before extending his right arm upward with fingers together and palm facing down.
While the gesture was intended as a “Roman salute” according to Musk, it drew immediate criticism from observers.
The incident prompted widespread backlash on social media, with many fans turning to Grimes for a response.
The gesture sparked particular controversy given Musk’s high-profile position as owner of Tesla and X.
Grimes addressed the controversy in a lengthy post on X, emphasising that she shouldn’t be held accountable for her ex-partner’s actions.
I’m happy to denounce Nazi-ism – and the far alt right. Would that help clear things up? I’ve just gotten out of breakfast and have to catch a flight, and am still debating how to approach things diplomatically because I feel in over my head. But if there’s concern about that,β¦
β π¦ππππΎπ β³ (@Grimezsz) January 21, 2025
“It’s absurd that someone can be this cancelled for something their ex did before they even heard it happened,” she stated. “I am not him. I will not make a statement every time he does something.”
The singer explained she had been offline and was just learning about the controversy, noting her status as a non-US citizen.
“I can only send love back into a world that is hurting,” she wrote before she stressed that adding to scandals without purpose only contributes to desensitisation.
Grimes revealed she prioritises her children’s wellbeing over making public statements about Musk.
“I could go talk s*** and be on a bunch of magazine covers and be a feminist hero and get clout β but it would serve no purpose. I choose my children’s wellbeing,” she explained.
The couple, who began dating in 2018, share three children: X à A-Xii, four, Exa Dark Sideræl, three, and Techno Mechanicus, two.
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Their relationship has been complex, with the pair “semi-separating” in 2021 whilst maintaining a fluid relationship.
In September 2023, Grimes filed a lawsuit against Musk seeking primary physical custody and joint legal custody of their children, though the case was sealed by Texas courts.
Musk responded to the inauguration controversy on X, dismissing critics by saying they needed “better dirty tricks” and commenting that “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.” (sic)
