Bannon gives Nazi salute at CPAC, President of the Czech Senate "unhappy" that Czech MEPs were there
Steve Bannon, a former advisor to U. S. President Donald Trump during his first term in office, caused a stir at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland last week when he used a gesture during his speech that was reminiscent of a Nazi salute. His action sparked immediate condemnation, led to the cancellation of some politicians' appearances at the conference, and unleased international debate about the growing influence of the ultra-right on both the American and the global political scene.
During his speech, Bannon enthusiastically roared at the audience and expressed support for Trump’s unconstitutional candidacy for 2028. At a crucial moment in his remarks, he raised his right hand after shouting: “Fight, fight, fight!”
That gesture, obviously reminiscent of a Nazi salute, immediately sparked outrage and widespread criticism. Jordan Bardella, the leader of the French ultra-right party National Rally, responded to the incident by immediately cancelling his participation in the conference.
“…while I was not present in the room, one of the speakers out of provocation allowed himself a gesture alluding to Nazi ideology,” Bardella said, stressing that he cannot be associated with such displays. Bannon reacted to Bardella’s decision with mockery.
“If he canceled over what the mainstream media said about the speech, he didn’t listen to the speech. If that’s true, he’s unworthy to lead France. He’s a boy, not a man,” Bannon told French magazine Le Point, as reported by the US magazine Newsweek.
Vystrčil criticizes Vondra, Havlíček says nationalism cannot be prevented
Speeches were given this year by many guests from abroad at CPAC, where the leading representatives of the Republican Party and their supporters annually gather, including British MP Nigel Farage, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Slovak Prime Minister Fico. Czech MEP Alexandr Vondra (Civic Democratic Party – ODS) and his colleague Filip Turek from the “Motorists Unite” (Motoristé sobě) party also headed to the event.
Vondra told news server Novinky.cz that he considers Bannon’s behavior unacceptable. “I believe that person has lost his mind. Yesterday at CPAC I listened to his roaring on the podium a bit, but after a couple of minutes I left in disgust, so I didn’t even see the gesture,” the news server quoted the MEP.
According to Vondra, it sometimes happens that at big events of this kind, “nonsense happens”. The President of the Czech Senate, Miloš Vystrčil (ODS), asked for comment on Vondra’s participation, said that his presence at the conference where the Nazi salute was given did not make him happy.
“Alexandr Vondra was there as an MEP. I take no joy from his having been there… I’m glad he condemned that appearance, that he spoke sharply about it. The fact that he didn’t take any other steps is his decision,” said Vystrčil.
The President of the Czech Senate said he could not imagine checking in advance where politicians go. “I would never attend such a conference… If I had experienced somebody giving the Nazi salute, I believe I would not have remained at such a conference,” he said.
According to the vice-chair of the opposition Association of Dissatisified Citizens (ANO) movement, Karel Havlíček, politicians cannot predict whether such situations might transpire at such events. Havlíček said that the giving of the Nazi salute must be condemned and that he believes he would have left such a conference if something of the sort took place.
“You have nationalism everywhere, you can’t prevent it,” Havlíček said. According to Czech Senator Václav Láska (for SEN 21), it is unclear how many of Trump’s voters are nationalists and what proportion of those are “echt nationalists”.
Láska said he believes American society may ultimately resist such behavior. “This might have a happy ending,” the senator said.
Fico is silent, Musk gave the Nazi salute before this
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also appeared at CPAC, made no comment on Bannon’s gesture, and expressed his support for Trump. “Europe should aid the American President with bringing the absurd killing in Ukraine to an end as soon as possible, not prevent him from achieving that aim,” the Slovak PM posted to Facebook.
Bannon’s gesture comes just a few weeks after billionaire Elon Musk caused a similar scandal. During an appearance at a rally marking Trump’s inauguration, Musk greeted the audience with an energetic movement of his right arm that many perceived to be a Nazi salute as well.
Musk subsequently made fun of his critics and ironically remarked that he is “tired” of people comparing him to Hitler.
Fears over the conservative movement’s shift
According to experts, the annual conference, which once served as the Republicans’ traditional platform, is becoming a place for ever more radical rhetoric and ultra-right ideas. The political commentator Brian Krassenstein wrote of Bannon’s gesture: “Steve Bannon does a NAZI salute at the end of his CPAC speech. Someone try and convince me that he didn’t.”
Nick Fuentes, a famous ultra-right activist, said the situation is starting to be unpleasant even for him. “Even I’m starting to feel like that guy in that picture who wouldn’t Heil Hitler!” he said on his podcast.
What you need to know
Steve Bannon spoke at CPAC in Maryland and raised his right arm in a gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute, sparking outrage and sharp reactions.
French far-right politician Jordan Bardella responded to the gesture by cancelling his participation in CPAC, for which Bannon subsequently ridiculed him.
Czech politicans at CPAC: Alexandr Vondra (ODS) said he was not present when the gesture was made, but condemned it. Miloš Vystrčil did not attend CPAC and said he would not have remained there after such an incident.
The incident is re-opening debate about the shift of the conservative movement toward the radical right, Elon Musk has also made a similar gesture recently.
