Steve Bannon sparks outrage with ‘Nazi salute’ at conservative event

Steve Bannon has sparked outrage after appearing to perform a Nazi-style salute while speaking at a conservative conference in the US.

What happened?

The former Trump adviser was addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington on Thursday when he made the gesture.

As he wrapped up his speech, he rallied the crowd with:

“The only way that they win is if we retreat, and we’re not going to retreat, we’re not going to surrender, we’re not going to quit. Fight, fight, fight!”

As applause broke out, Bannon raised his right arm straight out to the side, palm flat—instantly drawing comparisons to a “Sieg Heil” salute.

Steve Bannon, after calling for Trump to be President for life, did a Nazi salute on stage at CPAC.

Nazism has officially taken over the GOP.

The few remaining conservatives have a choice: either leave the party and obstruct it—or choose to be complicit.pic.twitter.com/94o5Kj69Le

— Joshua Reed Eakle 🗽 (@JoshEakle) February 21, 2025

Social media erupts

On X (formerly Twitter), many were quick to call it out.

Journalist Aaron Rupar wrote:

“The salute is what it is and it’s what Bannon intended. Don’t let yourself be gaslit.”

Grassroots political group Really American branded it yet another example of “Trump’s America.”

Meanwhile, Joshua Reed Eakle, president of Project Liberal, took it a step further, declaring:

“Nazism has officially taken over the GOP.”

First musk. Now Steve Bannon. America. You have a nazi problem. I say this with no exaggeration. pic.twitter.com/PIrbnTUwYw

— Кобзар 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇪 (@CanadianKobzar) February 21, 2025

A pattern emerging?

The controversy follows a similar storm just weeks ago when Elon Musk was filmed making a comparable gesture on the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration.

With high-profile figures making such moves, many are questioning whether these are accidents—or a deliberate nod to a more extreme ideology.

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