Steve Bannon has responded after being accused of performing a Nazi salute at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). In an interview with the Daily Mail, the former White House strategist for Donald Trump criticized the liberal media for claiming he made the controversial hand gesture during Friday’s event near Washington, DC.
Steve Bannon accused of doing Nazi salute, speaks up
“That was a wave to the crowd,” Bannon told the outlet. “And it shows you how petrified, particularly, the Daily Mail,” he added.
The 71-year-old further stated that the accusations were an insult to the MAGA supporters who had assembled at CPAC.
Steve Bannon broke his silence after he sparked outrage for allegedly making a controversial gesture at CPAC. pic.twitter.com/tPu4G9aNyL
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) February 21, 2025
The allegations against Bannon surfaced following similar accusations against Elon Musk, who was claimed to have performed a “Nazi” salute during Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
“Once again, this is the left-wing media insulting these people,” the right-wing podcaster said, adding, “The speech was about them. They have to understand something: These people can’t be bought, they can’t be defeated.”
During his speech on Friday, Bannon fired up the audience by calling for an unconstitutional third term for Trump. “The future of America is MAGA, OK? And the future of MAGA is Donald J. Trump. We want Trump in ’28. That’s what they can’t stand.”
“A man like Trump comes along only once or twice in a country‘s history, right?” the former investment banker stated, prompting the crowd to chant, “we want Trump.”
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
After shouting, “Fight, fight, fight,” Bannon briefly waved to the crowd—a gesture some claimed resembled the controversial salute.
As clips and images from his CPAC speech spread across social media, many users criticized him for the gesture.
Joshua Reed Eakle, president of Project Liberal, wrote, “Steve Bannon, after calling for Trump to be President for life, did a Nazi salute on stage at CPAC.”
He further stated, “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.”
