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 said

Hill 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 reminder of an era that inflicted seep suffering on millions.”

He also explained that his “previous” attempt to explain his actions “fell short” and “significantly missed the mark.”

Following his resignation Monday, the company’s current president, Neil Nelson, announced that he will take over as the company’s chief executive.

“Our focus now is on healing and moving forward. We are dedicated to ensuring that our mission remains clear and that every decision we make reflects the principles that define ESI Construction,” Nelson wrote.

“I am confident we will emerge a more compassionate company.”

ESI Construction has more than 1,000 employees on its payroll.

The company is also in the middle of building the ESI Construction Management Building at Boise State University, Idaho News 6 reported.

The college sent out a statement to students, faculty, and staff on Monday from top school administrators saying they were “made aware of an incident that took place at a recent ESI event in which a member of their leadership team performed a Nazi salute during the presentation” and have been in communication with ESI leadership over the matter.

“We unequivocally condemn and will not tolerate any form of anti-semitism, racism, harassment or discrimination,” the University leaders said.

“The University is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that is free from discrimination or harassment, in which all members of the University community are treated with dignity and respect. We hold all members of our campus community – students, faculty, staff, vendors, industry partners – to these same standards.”

The school administrators said they “expect ESI to hold true to the commitments they have made in the statement addressing this concerning incident.”