French Far-Right Leader Cancels CPAC Speech Over Steve Bannon’s Controversial Salute
French far-right politician Jordan Bardella made headlines by abruptly canceling his scheduled speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the U.S. The reason? A gesture made by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon that many are calling a fascist-style salute.
During his speech at CPAC, Bannon ended his remarks with an outstretched arm, fingers pointed, and palm facing down—a gesture that has drawn comparisons to the infamous Nazi salute. The move sparked immediate controversy, as it resembled a similar salute made by Elon Musk earlier this year at the U.S. presidential inauguration. While some argue it could be interpreted as a so-called "Roman salute," historians have long debunked the idea that it originates from ancient Rome. Instead, it was widely used by Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini before being adopted by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime.
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Bardella, a leading figure in France’s National Rally party, was quick to distance himself from the controversy. Despite being in Washington, D.C., for the event, he wasted no time in canceling his speech, stating that he would not be associated with any gesture alluding to Nazi ideology. His decision is particularly notable, given the National Rally party’s own history with far-right nationalism in France.
Bannon’s CPAC appearance was already a high-energy spectacle, with the former Trump strategist rallying the crowd with calls to "fight, fight, fight" and references to Trump’s potential return to the presidency. The crowd erupted in cheers as Bannon made his controversial gesture, further reinforcing how CPAC has transformed from a traditional conservative gathering into a full-throttle Trump-centric rally.
Adding to the intensity, Musk also made headlines at CPAC, brandishing a chainsaw on stage—a symbolic stunt against government bureaucracy. Handed to him by Argentina’s right-wing president, Javier Milei, Musk’s theatrical moment further solidified his growing influence within Trump’s circle, a space that Bannon himself once dominated.
While Bannon has yet to directly address the backlash, the gesture has reignited debates about the far-right’s flirtation with authoritarian symbolism. Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League have pointed out that regardless of the precise historical origins, the meaning behind such salutes is unmistakable.
As the controversy unfolds, one thing is clear: CPAC 2025 has become more than just a political conference—it’s a battleground for the future of right-wing politics, both in the U.S. and abroad.
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