Controversy at CPAC: Bannon's Gesture Sparks Outrage
French far-right leader Jordan Bardella unexpectedly canceled his participation in the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Washington, D.C. The cancellation came in the wake of an incident involving Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Donald Trump, who was accused of making a gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute during his speech.
As the head of the National Rally in France, Bardella was slated to speak at CPAC, focusing on the evolving U.S.-France relations and the surge of European patriotic parties. However, Bannon's controversial action prompted him to call off his appearance. Bardella swiftly denounced Bannon's alleged salute, which he claimed was a direct reference to Nazi ideology. The French leader explained that he made this decision almost immediately after observing Bannon's actions.
Bannon's Defense and Criticism of Bardella
Steve Bannon, unflinching in his response, dismissed the accusations. He insisted the gesture was nothing more than a simple wave meant to acknowledge the crowd, rather than an offensive salute. Bannon described his CPAC address as the 'best speech @ CPAC,' expressing pride in his performance. Not stopping there, he then took a jab at Bardella, labeling him as 'gutless' and questioning his suitability as a potential leader in France.
Bannon's sharp critique didn't end with questioning Bardella's political mettle; he went further by derisively calling him a 'spokesmodel.' In contrast, Bardella maintained his position, choosing integrity over participation in what could become a potentially divisive event.
This incident has also drawn parallels with a recent situation involving Elon Musk, who faced criticism after appearing to make a similar gesture at Trump's inaugural rally. The comparison has only heightened the controversy surrounding Bannon's act at CPAC, leaving organizers of the event in a tense spot. However, they did not issue any comments regarding Bardella's withdrawal or the ongoing uproar.