Featured Image Credit: CSPAN
Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Politics, US News, Social Media
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Politics, US News, Social Media
Donald Trump's former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has been accused of making a 'Nazi salute' while giving a speech at a conference.
Last month, during the 47th President of the US Donald Trump's inauguration celebration at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to the stage to say a few words and appeared to give a 'Nazi salute'.
And on Thursday (February), Bannon took to the stage in Washington during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
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Bannon called for Trump to 'be President for life' alongside imploring people to 'not retreat, not surrender, not quit' and 'fight'. He then raised his right arm in a straight line.
President of Project Liberal, Joshua Reed Eakle, took to Twitter to share a clip of the event, writing: "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."
UNILAD has contacted a representative for Bannon for comment.
Bannon's gesture follows soon after Musk was accused of doing the same arm movement.
The 53-year-old was speaking about the prospect of sending a man to Mars and planting an American flag during Trump's inauguration celebration when he thumped his chest and shot his right arm out and up.
Musk said: "Thank you for making it happen. Thank you, my heart goes out to you," before turning back to the audience and repeating the gesture towards the American flag.
The Twitter owner faced backlash from social media users but received support from antisemitism watchdog the Anti-Defamation League which wrote on Twitter: "It seems that [Musk] make an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people on on edge. This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety.
"In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead."
However, US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded to the group, questioning if it was really 'defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity'.
She resolved: "People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all."
And Musk himself also seemingly spoke out, stating Ocasio-Cortex had 'just 100 percent lost her marbles'.
He added in response to another Twitter user's comments: "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired."
If you are the victim of an antisemitic incident or you have information regarding an antisemitic incident that happened to somebody else, contact the Stand With Us Number on 310 836 6140. In an emergency, always call 911.