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Steve Bannon, a well-known right-wing podcaster and former White House strategist for Donald Trump, is facing backlash for a gesture he made during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Many observers believe that Bannon flashed a Nazi salute while addressing the audience in National Harbor, Maryland.
What Happened During Bannon's Speech?
During his speech, Steve Bannon passionately encouraged the audience to "fight, fight, fight." As the crowd applauded, he responded with a quick nod and said, "Amen." However, what caught people's attention was a brief, stiff-arm gesture he made off to the side. The movement had no apparent purpose, which led to speculation that it was a Nazi salute.
Public Reaction to Bannon's Gesture
Several social media users and political groups criticized the act. Joshua Reed Eakle, president of Project Liberal, reacted to the viral video on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Nazism has officially taken over the GOP." The grassroots political group Really American also commented, "This is Trump’s America."
Far-right white nationalist Nick Fuentes even weighed in, referring to Bannon's gesture and Elon Musk’s recent salute as "Roman salutes." However, even Fuentes found it unsettling, saying, "It's getting a little uncomfortable even for a guy like me!"
Steve Bannon does a NAZI salute at the end of his CPAC speech. Someone try and convince me that he didn’t. pic.twitter.com/A2yo4djJzU
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) February 21, 2025
Bannon Calls for a Third Trump Term
Apart from the controversial gesture, Steve Bannon made another shocking statement during his speech. He called for a third term for Donald Trump, comparing him to historic leaders who appear "twice in history."
The Debate Over the Salute
While some believe that Steve Bannon intentionally flashed a Nazi salute, others argue that it might have been an unintentional movement. Despite the debate, the controversy has sparked further discussions about extremism in American politics.
Conclusion
Steve Bannon’s CPAC speech has once again brought attention to the rising influence of far-right ideologies in the GOP. Whether his gesture was intentional or not, the incident has left many questioning the direction of the party and its leaders.
