Steve Bannon accused of making ‘Nazi salute’ in conference speech

Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, has been accused of making a “Nazi salute” during a keynote conference speech.

The controversial media executive, whose site Breitbart was a key driver of the early MAGA movement, made the gesture during an address to conservative activists yesterday.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a major event in the right-wing political calendar, Bannon called on supporters to “fight for Trump” and “not surrender” to a list of foes (in which he included US allies Saudi Arabia, Germany and the UK).

He also echoed the “fight, fight fight” slogan Trump yelled to crowds following the attempt on his life last year and called on lawmakers to repeal the Constitution’s 22^nd Amendment to allow for a third Trump term.

However, it was the conclusion of his speech that drew the most scrutiny as, after once more calling on the audience to “fight”, he extended his right arm outwards, palm down in what appeared to be a Nazi salute.

The movement was quickly picked up on social media, drawing widespread criticism.

Chris Jackson, a Democratic electoral commissioner in Tennessee, wrote: “Here we go again. Steve Bannon just threw up a Nazi salute at CPAC—right in front of the crowd.

“This isn’t accidental. They know exactly what they’re doing.”

Campaign group Republicans Against Trump added: “It looks like Steve Bannon just did a Nazi salute at the end of his CPAC speech.”

Even the prominent far-right activist and antisemite Nick Fuentes said that the gesture, which he dubbed a “Roman salute” was “a little excessive".

The term Roman salute is commonly used by the far-right to dissociate the gesture from its Nazi context. It is something of a misnomer as there is no historical evidence for its use in ancient Rome, with the “Roman” link a result of its use by Benito Mussolini’s fascist government in Italy, starting in 1925.

The row over Bannon’s gesticulation comes after another key Trump ally, Elon Musk, was accused of making the salute during his speech at the president’s inauguration in january.

During his address, Musk twice placed his hand over his heart then extended his arm. The movement drew instant Nazi comparisons, though the Tesla CEO insisted that the gesture was to illustrate his heart going out to the crowd – indeed, he did say “my heart goes out to you” after making the movement for the second time.

Some weeks later, the apparent salute and accompanying phrase was used by British far-right provocateur Calvin Robinson during a speech in America, which saw the self-proclaimed cleric defrocked by the niche Anglican Catholic Church.

CPAC’s opening day also saw a speech from former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, in which she attacked the “deep state” and called for a “Trump-style revolution” on this side of the Atlantic, and was attended by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

The JC has contacted Steve Bannon for comment.