Featured Image Credit: Twitter/calvinrobinson
Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Health, Religion, Social Media, UK News, US News, Politics
Liv Bridge
Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Health, Religion, Social Media, UK News, US News, Politics
A priest has been stripped of his church license after mimicking Elon Musk's 'Nazi salute' at a pro-Trump event.
A ring-wing priest from the UK has had his church license taken away after he appeared to copy the controversial movement Elon Musk made during President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Monday (January 20).
The Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder appeared to be thrilled about the prospect of sending a man to Mars and planting an American flag.
Speaking to the Capitol One Arena in Washington, the Twitter owner thumped his chest and shot his right arm out towards the sky, twice.
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The move sparked controversy, with many viewers accusing Musk of making a 'Sieg Heil' salute.
Now, Father Calvin Robinson, who is reportedly connected to the UK's far-right movement, has been stripped of his lofty position in the Anglican Church after allegedly making the controversial move at a National Pro-Life rally on Saturday (January 25).
Speaking to the anti-abortion protesters, Robinson said: "This is the last stand for Christendom.
"It's make-or-break time. The whole of the old world is crumbling. Every country in Europe is embracing death.
"America, as far as I can see, is the only country fighting for life."
The religious leader then thanked the audience before imitating Musk's gesture.
As he said God bless all of you,' he also added 'my heart goes out to you', while he hit his chest and extended his right arm at at the same angle.
The move gained some laughs from the crowd, which Robinson acknowledged the chuckles with a smirk.
However, the move didn't go down so well with the Anglican Catholic Church which wrote in a statement that it was 'aware' of the incident and has revoked his license.
The statement reads in part: "While we cannot say what was in Mr. Robinson’s heart when he did this, his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favor with certain elements of the American political right by provoking its opposition.
"Mr. Robinson had been warned that online trolling and other such actions (whether in service of the left or right) are incompatible with a priestly vocation and was told to desist.
"Clearly, he has not, and as such, his license in this Church has been revoked. He is no longer serving as a priest in the ACC."
The church went on to condemn Nazi ideology and anyone who imitates the salute, 'even as a joke or an attempt to troll their opponents', writing that it 'trivialize[s] the horror of the Holocaust'.
However, Robinson denied being associated with fascism on Twitter and confessed he imitated Musk for a purpose - to mock 'hysterical liberals'.
"Context is key, but sometimes people ignore context to confirm their own prejudices," he added. "I am not a Nazi. But I forgive you of your ignorance."
The now-disgraced priest also claimed he had received 'hundreds' of abusive messages from so-called 'vile leftists' after the incident.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League, defended Musk at the time.
The antisemitism watchdog wrote: "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."