Nazi Greeting in Washington, Vote in Berlin

Nazi Greeting in Washington, Vote in Berlin

February 22, 2025 Catherine Williams World

The New American Right and the Rise of Fascist Symbolism

Table of Contents

The new American right is increasingly embracing fascist symbols, with Elon Musk and Steve Bannon at the forefront of this controversial trend. The first to raise his arm in a fascist salute was Elon Musk, and now Steve Bannon, former head of the White House Strategy and Planning, has followed suit. This new authoritarian right is flirting with the symbols of fascism and Nazism, much to the discomfort of some European counterparts.

Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally (formerly the National Front), resigned to take the floor at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Washington. However, after Bannon made the Nazi salute, Bardella could not return to Paris without facing backlash. For the new leading group of the United States, everything seems to be a game; it’s about provoking and capturing the public’s attention. For a month, they have not stopped acting. For the new European extreme right, the history of the 1920s and 1930s still weighs heavily, and they try to avoid returning to the old liturgies. The American jokers, however, do not hesitate.

Knowing Bardella’s decision not to intervene before the plenary of the conference, Bannon commented, “If Bardella renounces her speech for what the ‘mainstream’ press of my speech has said, this means that she is a child and that is not worthy of directing France.” Hours later, Elon Musk also grabbed the attention of the conservative conference upon receiving Javier Milei’s chainsaw as a gift. Bannon, raising the arm to impress and scare Europeans. Musk, brandishing the Argentine chainsaw that symbolizes the cut of state expenses. The authoritarian right feels plethoric. And in Washington, there are two roosters competing for Trump’s favor. Bannon and Musk are confronted.

Steve Bannon, former Goldman Sachs executive who served in the United States Navy, was interested in politics and cinema before becoming the trusted man of the first Trump. He boasts of being the true promoter of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) Movement. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Bannon explained ten days ago that he discovered Trump for politics: “I met with Jeff Sessions (Trump’s supportive Republican leader, Attorney General of the United States between 2017 and 2018) and Stephen Miller (activist of the new American right), with whom I had a close relationship, and I said: ‘We have to find a Populist candidate.’ I told Jeff: ‘You are an agrarian populist, you could be the starting point.’ But he replied: ‘No, I am not the guy, but that guy will arrive.’ So I started attending meetings with the bases. I remember that on May 1, 2014, I went to an event in Hanover, New Hampshire. They were Rand Paul, Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, Newt Gingrich… all of them. And there was also Donald Trump. The speeches of others were foreseeable, they varied in nuances, but they had no depth or connected viscerally with people. Then Trump spoke and people leaned forward in their seats.”

In a nutshell, Bannon publicly boasts of having had the ‘idea’ and having ‘discovered’ the character who had to embody it. It’s not little. The White House ex-analysis, fallen out of favor during the first term, now grants media interviews ‘mainstream’ to rant against Musk who considers a skill. “Elon Musk is a ‘technofeudal,’ an oligarch of technology, the intelligent of all of them. Before I was with the Democrats, but I knew to see mathematics [electorales] And he approached the Trump campaign with a $250 million check for five months. He fully supported our plan to find voters with little information and mothers who had changed during the pandemic. He supports that strategy. It was the first and then the others came. They are all liberals, they are all ‘superprogresses,’ all are ‘technofeudalist’ and the human being cares little. These people have to stop it. And if we do not stop them now, they will not only destroy this country, but will destroy the world,” he told the NYT. In a previous interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Bannon said he would do everything possible so that Musk did not get the blue pass that gives freedom of circulation through the White House. It does not seem to have achieved it, for now. A few days ago, Donald Trump and Elon Musk appeared together before a Fox News journalist, presenting both as a very well-avenue couple: the president and the imperial consul. It seems that there is a fight between the head of the ‘old shirts’ and the new technological oligarchs with the sense of the opportunity implemented in a chip.

Bannon feels displaced by Musk and wants to take revenge. A month ago, Trump’s oath day, at a rally that celebrated the inauguration of the mandate, Musk also made a high-arm greeting, which tried to present as a gesture of vital enthusiasm, denying vehemently that he had tried to emulate the fascist greeting. Bannon has gone straight to the grain, has raised his arm and has not tried to mask anything, pointing to Musk as an imposter. That is the message that the former White House Strategy Head wanted to convey, who in his speech before the Conserva Action Conference claimed a third mandate for Donald Trump, a possibility that does not contemplate the constitution of the United States.

Final note. The fascist greeting is not the old Roman greeting. The Roman greeting arm raised never existed. There are no documentary sources that demonstrate that the ancient Romans greet each other. The ‘Roman greeting’ is a myth created by the Italian nationalist poet Gabriele D’Annunzio from the painting ‘The journey of the Horacios,’ dated the 18 Raised arm. D’Annunzio, inspiring of not a few of the ritual gestures of Italian fascism, was inspired by that painting, the work of the French painter Joacques-Louis David, to advertise the ‘Roman greeting’ as a gesture of reverence to duty, to the boss and the State. In 1914 a silent film entitled ‘Cabiria’ was released, whose script wrote D’Annunzio, in which the Roman patricians greet arm high. Since then in all Roman films, the famous peplum that greeting appears, which Benito Mussolini made his own, being copied by Adolf Hitler, head of the German National-Socialist Party. In Spain, he adopted the Falange and became the official greeting of the regime established by General Francisco Franco. They all pretended to be Romans. D’Annunzio was a remarkable set designer.

North American Trumpists now use the fascist greeting to compete with each other and cause Europeans. For them, it is a game. A macabre game, since thousands of young Americans died in European battlefields to defeat Nazism and fascism. They play to tell us that they are willing to transfer all the lines that are needed in their great assault operation to power.

Sunday, Germany will vote. The rise of fascist symbolism in the U.S. has sparked a global conversation about the dangers of extremism and the need for vigilance. As the world watches, the actions of figures like Bannon and Musk serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the potential for harmful rhetoric.

The New American Right and the Rise of Fascist Symbolism

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of fascist symbols in American politics?

  • Key Insight: The new American right is increasingly embracing fascist symbols, with figures like Elon Musk and Steve Bannon leading this trend. This has raised concerns due to the historical connotations and the potential normalization of extremist ideologies.
  • Historical Context: The fascist salute, historically associated with Nazism and Italian Fascism, is being used as a provocative gesture by some American figures. This echoes past European fascist movements but now plays out in a contemporary American political landscape.
  • European Reaction: Many European counterparts, who bear the historical weight of fascism from the 1920s and 1930s, find this trend disturbing and alarming.

How have figures like Elon Musk and Steve bannon contributed to this trend?

  • Elon Musk’s Role: Musk has been involved in this trend by reportedly making gestures associated with fascist symbolism, such as the high-arm salute.Even though Musk denies any intent to emulate fascist gestures, the resemblance has been noted and criticized.
  • Steve Bannon’s Influence: Bannon, a prominent figure in promoting former President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, has also been associated with using fascist symbolism, explicitly performing the salute at an event attended by European politicians. He is seen as a key promoter of a more authoritarian style within the conservative movement.
  • Conflict with Elon Musk: Bannon perceives musk as a threat to conventional conservative values given musk’s influence and technological power. This has led to public clashes and political rivalry.

What is the historical origin of the fascist salute?

  • Myth vs. Reality: The fascist salute, known as the “Roman salute,” is not based on historical evidence but rather a creation of the early 20th-century Italian nationalism. Gabriele D’Annunzio popularized this gesture, inspired by a painting, to symbolize loyalty and duty to the state.
  • Adoption by Fascist Regimes: This salute was adopted by Mussolini’s Italy and later by Hitler’s Germany, becoming a symbol of their regimes. In Spain, it was used by General Francisco Franco’s regime.

What are the global implications of the rise of fascist symbolism in the U.S.?

  • International concern: The adoption of fascist symbols in U.S.politics brings about global anxiety, particularly from countries that have experienced or been directly affected by fascist regimes in the past.
  • Cultural Reflection: The trend is seen as a reflection of broader cultural and political shifts, provoking essential discussions about extremism, democracy, and the responsibilities of influential public figures.
  • Ongoing Vigilance: With Germany voting amid these dynamics, the international focus is on preventing the rise of similar extremist symbolism elsewhere and promoting vigilance against the normalization of harmful ideologies.

How do European leaders view this trend?

  • European Leaders: Figures like Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally in France, are reportedly uncomfortable with the trend.Participation in American conferences by European leaders exposes them to these provocative gestures and rhetoric.
  • Political Retaliation: Some european leaders may face backlash for engaging or appearing tolerant of American figures who use fascist symbolism,complicating diplomatic and cultural relationships.

What does the future hold for the balance between freedom of expression and potential harm from extremist rhetoric?

  • Balancing Act: While freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democratic societies, there is an ongoing debate about where to draw the line to prevent the spread of dangerous, extremist rhetoric.
  • Need for Awareness: Continued dialog and education are essential to keeping public discourse healthy and ensuring that provocative gestures do not promote harmful ideologies.

How credible are the concerns around the rise of fascist symbolism?

  • experts’ Opinions: Historical experts and political analysts underline the significance of these symbols, arguing that they carry deep-rooted connotations of authoritarianism and violence.
  • Statistics and Data: While specific statistics on the impact of such symbolism are hard to quantify, the trend’s potential to influence public perception and political climates cannot be underestimated.

For further reading, experts recommend studies from historians about the use of symbolism in political movements and documentaries on the influence of media and celebrities in political discourse. Links to reputable sources, such as historical analyses from educational institutions and articles from trusted news outlets, are provided for those interested in exploring this topic further.

By addressing these questions comprehensively,this article offers a professional perspective on a complex issue with lasting relevance.

The New American Right and the Rise of Fascist Symbolism: A Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of fascist symbols in American politics?

  • Key Insight: The new American right is increasingly embracing fascist symbols, with notable figures like Elon Musk and Steve Bannon at the helm. this trend has sparked concerns due to the ancient connotations associated with these symbols and the potential normalization of extremist ideologies.
  • Historical Context: The fascist salute, deeply linked with Nazism and Italian Fascism, is being adopted in a provocative manner by some American figures. This approach draws from past European fascist movements but has unique aspects in the current American political habitat.
  • European Reaction: Many European countries, burdened by the historical impact of fascism from the 1920s and 1930s, find this trend both disturbing and alarming. The adoption of such symbols in the U.S. strains transatlantic cultural and political ties.

How have figures like Elon Musk and Steve Bannon contributed to this trend?

  • Elon Musk’s Role: Musk has been involved in this controversial trend, reportedly making gestures associated with fascist symbolism, such as a high-arm salute. Even though Musk denies any intent to imitate fascist gestures, the resemblance has caught public and media attention.
  • Steve Bannon’s Influence: Bannon, a key player in promoting Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, has been associated with using fascist symbolism. Notably, he has performed the salute in public, specifically at events attended by European politicians. Bannon’s actions are seen as promoting a more authoritarian style within the conservative movement.
  • Conflict with Elon Musk: Bannon perceives Musk as a threat to conventional conservative values due to his technological influence and financial might. This perception has led to an open clash and political rivalry, indicative of larger ideological conflicts within the right-wing sphere.

What is the historical origin of the fascist salute?

  • Myth vs. Reality: The so-called “Roman salute” is not historically accurate but was created by early 20th-century Italian nationalists.Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio popularized this gesture, inspired by a painting, to symbolize loyalty and duty to the state.
  • Adoption by Fascist Regimes: The salute was later adopted by mussolini’s Italy and Hitler’s Germany, becoming a poignant symbol of their regimes. In Spain, it was used by General Francisco Franco’s regime, further propagating its connotations of authoritarianism.

what are the global implications of the rise of fascist symbolism in the U.S.?

  • International Concern: This trend raises global anxiety, especially among countries with a history of fascist regimes, due to the risks of normalizing harmful ideologies.
  • Cultural Reflection: The rise of fascist symbolism in the U.S. acts as a mirror for broader cultural and political shifts, prompting significant discussions about extremism and democracy.
  • Ongoing Vigilance: As countries like Germany face elections under these dynamics, the world emphasizes preventing the spread of similar extremist symbolism globally and encourages vigilance against the normalization of such ideologies.

How do European leaders view this trend?

  • European Leaders’ Reactions: European leaders, such as Jordan Bardella of France’s National Rally, express discomfort with this trend. Their participation in American events exposes them to these provocative gestures and rhetoric, affecting diplomatic and cultural ties.
  • Political Retaliation: European politicians may face backlash in their home countries for appearing tolerant or engaging with American figures who embrace fascist symbolism.

What does the future hold for the balance between freedom of expression and potential harm from extremist rhetoric?

  • Balancing Act: While freedom of expression is a key democratic value, there is an ongoing debate on setting limits to curb the spread of extremist rhetoric that may harm societal cohesion and democratic principles.
  • Need for awareness: Continuous public dialog and education are crucial to maintaining a healthy public discourse and preventing provocative gestures from promoting harmful ideologies.

How credible are the concerns around the rise of fascist symbolism?

  • Experts’ Opinions: Historians and political analysts highlight the significant connotations of these symbols, including associations with authoritarianism and violence, underlining the validity of concerns about their rising use.
  • Statistics and Data: Although quantifying the direct impact of such symbolism can be challenging, its potential to influence public perception and political climates is substantial and should not be underestimated.

For further reading, exploring studies on the use of symbolism in political movements and documentaries discussing media and celebrity influence in politics may offer deeper insights.Links to historical analyses from educational institutions and articles from trusted news outlets can be found for those interested in delving further into this complex issue.

By addressing these questions, this article provides a professional and thorough viewpoint on a pressing and complex issue with long-term relevance.