Trump Associates' 'Nazi Salute'... Musk Followed by Former Advisor

by Koo Nari

Published 22 Feb.2025 17:11(KST)

French Far-Right Party Leader Cancels Speech After Witnessing 'Nazi Salute'

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, is embroiled in controversy as Steve Bannon, a former strategist, made a gesture reminiscent of the 'Nazi salute' at a public event, following Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and Trump's 'First Buddy' (the president's close friend).

On the 20th (local time), Steve Bannon, former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, caused controversy by making a gesture on stage reminiscent of a Nazi salute. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News

On the 21st (local time), American media including The New York Times (NYT) reported that Bannon, a former Trump strategist and popular right-wing podcast host, suddenly made an arm gesture similar to the Nazi salute after delivering a speech at the Republican Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Oxon Hill, Maryland on the 20th. During the totalitarian era in Germany, the salute involved raising the right arm while shouting slogans such as "Sieg Heil" (Hail Victory) or "Heil Hitler" (Hail Hitler).

During his speech, Bannon urged President Trump to run for a third term, shouting "Fight, fight, fight." When the crowd responded with applause, he raised his right arm in return. However, Bannon's 'Nazi-style salute' immediately sparked backlash. Jordan Bardella (29), leader of the French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN), who was invited to CPAC and is currently in the U.S., canceled his speech schedule, stating, "One of the speakers made a provocative gesture reminiscent of Nazi ideology."

In Europe, including France, which suffered great damage from Nazi Germany's invasion and World War II, gestures reminiscent of the Nazi salute are considered taboo, even among far-right groups. In Germany, this salute is criminalized and punishable by law.

However, Bannon showed no remorse for his actions. The day after the speech, he explained via text message that he was merely paying tribute to the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement "as he always does in his speeches." Furthermore, he mocked Bardella, who canceled his speech, calling him a "pretty boy" and saying, "He is too weak to govern France. The global revolutionary leaders gathered at CPAC consider him a coward."

Elon Musk is making a gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute during a speech on the 20th of last month (local time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Elon Musk, who is also called the second-in-command of Trump's second administration, sparked controversy last month on the 20th when he made a gesture reminiscent of the Nazi salute twice during a speech at the presidential inauguration celebration. In response to criticism, Musk dismissed it as "mainstream media propaganda," claiming that similar gestures made by Democratic figures were ignored while he alone was targeted.