Steve Bannon, former White House strategist and key Trump ally, sparked controversy at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday after users accused him of briefly performing a Nazi-style salute.
The CPAC event, held in National Harbor, Maryland, featured a lineup of prominent right-wing figures, including Bannon, who used his speech to rally support for President Donald Trump's potential third term, the Independent reported.
During his address, Bannon emphasized the need for relentless political combat, punctuating his words with a stiff-armed gesture, that many observers interpreted as a Nazi salute, while urging the audience to "fight, fight, fight."
Bannon does a “roman salute” at the end of his CPAC speech. pic.twitter.com/IbI6PEsQxJ
— Italien Feeld (@julianfeeld) February 21, 2025
"German here. It's a Nazi salute. Stop it with the cute euphemisms. Call it what it is," one user commented. "A class Elon salute," another user wrote, referencing the controversy Tesla CEO Elon Musk found himself in after dozens accused him of performing a Nazi salute during Trump's inauguration.
German here. It's a Nazi salute. Stop it with the cute euphemisms. Call it what it is.
— Bonnie Idaho l ⊃∪∩⪽ (@bonniealba) February 21, 2025
a classic elon salute
— Angelica Reed (@Angelica_Reed1) February 21, 2025
Sure looks like what he did. That was no wave
— NixxOn 1 ☄️🌐 (@NetworkDirecto1) February 21, 2025
Influencer Nick Fuentes, who has openly espoused far-right views, referred to Bannon's motion as a "Roman salute" and admitted it was "sick" even by his standards.
Fuentes reacts to Steve Bannon throwing up a Roman Salute
— Fuentes Updates (@FuentesUpdates) February 21, 2025
"It's getting a little uncomfortable even for a guy like me! I feel like that guy in that picture who wouldn't heil Hitler" pic.twitter.com/SPLlsbcRmW
Joshua Reed Eakle, president of the progressive group Project Liberal, condemned the act, claiming it signified the GOP's full embrace of far-right extremism. The grassroots organization Really American echoed similar concerns, stating, "This is Trump's America."
Bannon, known for his hardline populist views, did not directly address the controversy, but his close association with nationalist movements fueled further speculation.
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