By Charles Switzer
9:09am PST, Feb 21, 2025
Bannon's Gesture at CPAC Sparks Controversy
At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday, February 20, former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon made a gesture identical to a Nazi salute, raising eyebrows and fueling speculation about its intent.
While some dismissed it as an innocuous movement, the striking resemblance to historically charged imagery has ignited debate. The gesture, made by extending the arm outward, palm down, at an upward angle mirrored the motions associated with Nazi salutes, leading many to question whether this was accidental or indicative of a larger pattern.
Here's what happened.
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Echoes of Musk's Controversial Gesture
Bannon's gesture wasn't the first time a high-profile Trump ally faced scrutiny for a similar motion. During Trump's January inauguration, billionaire Elon Musk was seen making an identical salute, complete with a forceful extension that even included an audible grunt.
Musk's gesture quickly sparked backlash, though he dismissed criticism as baseless attacks.
Notably, he never directly denied that it was a Nazi salute, leaving room for speculation. Instead, his defenders, including some surprising figures, took it upon themselves to refute the accusations on his behalf, The Wrap reported.
The ADL's Complicated Response
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) initially rushed to Musk's defense, calling the gesture "an awkward moment of enthusiasm" rather than a deliberate Nazi salute. Their plea for "grace" and "benefit of the doubt" was meant to calm tensions, but it backfired when Musk responded days later with tasteless Nazi-related puns that the ADL then had to condemn.
The ADL has yet to issue a statement on Bannon's CPAC moment, though it previously opposed his White House appointment in 2016.
A Growing Pattern?
If once is a mistake and twice is a coincidence, then seeing the same gesture from two high-profile Trump allies in significant public moments may suggest something more in the thoughts of several analysts.
While the intentions behind these salutes remain debated, the frequency of their appearance in MAGA circles continues to raise questions about the imagery being embraced — whether intentionally or not.
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