French Far-Right Leader Cancels CPAC Speech Amid Controversy over Bannon's 'Nazi Salute'

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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In a dramatic turn of events, Jordan Bardella, the leader of France's far-right National Rally, pulled out of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington. This decision came after Steve Bannon, ex-advisor to Donald Trump, caused a stir by making a gesture that many perceived as a Nazi salute. The gesture came at the end of his speech, punctuated with the phrase "Fight, fight, fight!" capturing immediate attention and sparking widespread controversy.

Bardella was quick to condemn Bannon's action, labeling it a "provocation" that intentionally invoked Nazi symbolism. He firmly stated that he couldn't be aligned with such demonstrations, prompting his decision to withdraw from the event. In his words, he did not want his presence to be seen as an endorsement of actions that seemed to glorify historical atrocities.

As if the controversy surrounding the gesture wasn't enough, Bannon added fuel to the fire with his reaction to Bardella's exit. He mocked Bardella, calling him "a little boy, not a man," and argued that his decision to cancel over media reports made him "unworthy of leading France." Such remarks further intensified the clamor, drawing attention to the already divisive nature of the conference.

CPAC, known for its conservative slant, attracted significant far-right personalities from across the globe, including British MP Nigel Farage and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Both figures are widely recognized for their nationalist and populist stances. Yet, amidst this backdrop, it was Bannon's gesture that took center stage, highlighting the growing trend of extremist rhetoric within these movements.

Also in attendance was Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who chose to sidestep the controversy surrounding Bannon's actions. Instead, he reiterated his support for Trump's Ukraine policy, steering clear of potential fallout from discussing the Nazi gesture.

Interestingly, the event's controversy seems reminiscent of past incidents, like when Elon Musk faced backlash for a gesture some interpreted as a Nazi salute at a Trump rally weeks before. This recurrence of controversial signals within conservative gatherings raises questions about the normalization of such extreme postures.

The uproar over Bannon's action and Bardella's response underscores the ongoing tensions within conservative circles, where the line between assertive rhetoric and offensive symbolism seems increasingly blurred. As CPAC winds down, it leaves behind a trail of debate, highlighting the challenges of maintaining decorum amid fervent political expression.