Steve Bannon, known for his polarizing presence in American politics, found himself at the center of a heated controversy during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 20, 2025. It's hard to ignore the buzz that followed when Bannon, a former advisor to Donald Trump, made a gesture that many interpreted as resembling a Nazi salute. The incident didn't just stop at raising eyebrows but spiraled into a backlash that echoed both within the conference and beyond.
The uproar was so intense that it caught the attention of French far-right leader Jordan Bardella, who was initially scheduled to speak at the CPAC event. In a decisive move, Bardella canceled his speech, citing discomfort with any gesture that carries connotations of Nazi ideology. Bannon's response was swift, labeling Bardella as 'gutless' and brushing off the accusations by claiming he merely waved to the crowd. However, it's not just Bannon's actions that are under scrutiny—his dismissal of the critique further fueled the drama.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time something like this has happened recently. Just weeks earlier, tech mogul Elon Musk sparked similar outrage with a gesture at a Trump rally, a move that received sharp criticisms from organizations like the Anti-Defamation League. It's a part of a troubling pattern that many observers see as indicative of a shift within conservative circles towards more extreme rhetoric.
The reaction from across the Atlantic wasn't muted, either. Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and fellow politician Alexandr Vondra expressed their discomfort with the event, highlighting growing unease with such symbolic acts. On the other hand, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who attended CPAC, chose to stay silent on the matter, leaving some to speculate on his stance.
This incident at CPAC highlighted an ongoing debate about the influence of radical rhetoric within conservative politics. Analysts have pointed out that CPAC has been shifting towards ultra-right influences over the years, raising concerns among mainstream conservatives and liberals alike. As the fallout from Bannon's gesture continues, it underscores the challenges the conservative movement faces in balancing its diverse factions.
