Jordan Bardella Cancels Speech at CPAC Following Steve Bannon’s Nazi Salute Gesture
Jordan Bardella, president of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, has withdrawn from a scheduled appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. due to a "gesture referring to Nazi ideology" made by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.
On Thursday, Bannon made the gesture while speaking at CPAC, a gathering of conservative activists and politicians that is also set to feature appearances by former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The gesture, which involved extending one arm in a raised, straight-armed salute, has been widely recognized as a reference to Nazi ideology.
In a statement, Bardella condemned the gesture, stating that he "decided to cancel my speech scheduled for this afternoon at the event" after it occurred "when I was not present in the room."
Bardella’s entourage later confirmed to AFP that he was referring to Bannon, who had previously been invited to speak at a National Front (now renamed Rassemblement National) congress in Lille in 2018.
CPAC is also scheduled to host French far-right politician Sarah Knafo, a member of the European Parliament who is affiliated with Éric Zemmour’s party.
Bardella’s decision to cancel his appearance is a significant development, as the RN has been seeking to rebrand itself as a more moderate and respectable force in French politics. The party recently expelled several members who were accused of making racist or anti-Semitic remarks, and Bardella has attempted to distance the RN from its previous association with Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Bannon’s gesture has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. Many have pointed out that it was made at a conference that has been accused of providing a platform for white supremacists and other extremist groups.
The gesture has also drawn attention to the ongoing problem of white supremacy and anti-Semitism in the United States and Europe. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of white supremacist activity and hate crimes, both online and offline.
Bardella’s decision to cancel his speech is a welcome step in the fight against hate speech and intolerance. It sends a clear message that there is no place for Nazi ideology or other forms of extremism in the political mainstream.
However, it is important to note that the RN itself has a history of racism and xenophobia. In the past, the party has opposed immigration and promoted anti-Muslim sentiment. It is therefore essential to remain vigilant against any attempts by the RN to downplay or whitewash its own extremist connections.
