Idaho CEO resigns after video shows him giving Nazi salute on stage in front of employees

An Idaho-based executive has resigned after a video showing him appearing to be doing a Nazi salute on stage in front of his employees caused outrage online as he admitted he “fell short” while doing a “political skit” mimicking Elon Musk.Engineered Structures, Inc.CEO Tom Hill was at an annual company event at the Boise Center on Feb.

20 when he appeared to gesture the Sieg Heil straight-arm salute with President Trump playing on a screen in the background, according to footage shared online.His onstage gesture went viral and many critics called for Hill to step down.In a statement from ESI Construction on Monday, Hill wrote, “It’s with a heavy heart” that he will resign as CEO and the chairman of its board of directors “immediately.”“While my behavior was never intended to promote hatred or extremist views, I recognize that it has rightfully generated intense backlash and has overshadowed the mission of the company,” he saidHill said he takes “full responsibility” for his actions and is “deeply regretful for what this incident has created.”However, it would take days for Hill to resign.He first addressed the controversy and defended the gesture, saying it was his “attempt at a parody” that “fell short” during a “political skit.”Hill shared that he made the highly controversial gesture to mimic Musk’s similar gesture during Trump’s inauguration.“Unfortunately, my recent attempt at parody fell short and is being used by others to unfairly judge me and, more importantly, our amazing company and its people,” Hill wrote.“At the beginning of our annual State of the Company event, I briefly commented on the election and, as part of a political skit, mimicked Elon Musk and President Trump’s signature dancing.”Hill then released another statement on Sunday acknowledging that the “salute is one of the most recognizable of all Nazi symbols and when used represents hate, oppression, and unspeakable atrocities – a r...