If I somehow accidentally did a Nazi salute my first response would be “Oh my god, I am so sorry, that was not my intention. Nazi’s are bad and I denounce all Nazis.” Then I would explain what I was trying to do.

Musk hasn’t bothered with the apology or denouncing Nazis, because it wasn’t a mistake and he was saying it nice and loud for the people in the back.

The most generous interpretation for people defending it is that they know it was a Nazi salute and they are trying to maintain “plausible” deniability. The only other explanation is they are complete fucking morons.