SIGH. For The Second Time In 30 Days, A Republican Leader Is Being Accused Of Doing A Nazi Salute

by · BuzzFeed

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Just last month, Elon Musk (aka the richest man on Earth), was widely accused of doing a Nazi salute at the rally following President Donald Trump's inauguration.

YouTube: The Telegraph / youtube.com / Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images

After thanking the crowd, he slapped his chest before extending his arm out with a flat, open palm.

Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images

The moment ignited a fury of commentary online, where some immediately defended Musk's actions and denied any symbolism, while others flatly referred to Musk as a Nazi.

CNN/ x.com

Well, the Republican party is facing its second accusation of a leader performing a Nazi salute, and it comes from a moment during former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon's speech at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference.

Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

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During his talk, Bannon bolstered the unconstitutional idea of Trump running for a third presidential term, telling his conservative audience, "The future of MAGA is Donald J. Trump! We want Trump in '28. That's what they can't stand."

Bannon: "The future of MAGA is Donald Trump! We want Trump in '28. That's what they can't stand. A man like Trump comes along only once or twice in the country's history. We want Trump! We want Trump!" pic.twitter.com/iA40aaBKsW
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 20, 2025

C-SPAN / Twitter: @atrupar

"The only way that they win is if we retreat," he said. "And we're not going to retreat. We're not going to surrender. We're not going to quit. Fight, fight, fight!"

When they keep doing this salute, just believe them. pic.twitter.com/GosnAuoXwu
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) February 21, 2025

RSBN / Twitter: @ProjectLincoln

Then he paused to do this.

RSBN / Twitter: @ProjectLincoln

The crowd's cheers grew, and Bannon nodded his head.

RSBN / Twitter: @ProjectLincoln

Following this action, Jordan Bardella, a leading face in France’s far-right National Rally, canceled his scheduled talk at the conference.

“At this podium yesterday, while I was not present in the room, one of the speakers allowed himself, as a provocation, to make a gesture referring to Nazi ideology,” Bardella said in in a statement, according to Politico. “Therefore, I have taken the immediate decision to cancel my scheduled speaking engagement at the event this afternoon.”

However, Bannon himself says it was only a wave.

Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Online, MAGA largely holds firm to the claim that Bannon's action was a wave. But others... are not so convinced. Here's what they're saying:

Twitter: @JoshEakle
Twitter: @TravLCox
Twitter: @AjasjaLjubetic
Twitter: @UROCKlive1
Twitter: @DPJHodges
Twitter: @chrisbarcypriv

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.