On January 20, after Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States, Elon Musk delivered a speech at an event. During the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Mexican actor Eduardo Verástegui and former advisor Steve Bannon performed the Nazi salute in their speeches.
In a symbolic gesture, Bannon asked attendees if they were ready to fight for Trump and for their country, emphasizing the importance of not giving up. Musk, for his part, expressed enthusiasm for plans to send men to Mars, supporting the 2024 elections that Trump won.
On the other hand, Bannon admitted his guilt in a case and received a probation sentence. Verástegui, who also performed the Nazi salute at CPAC, joined Musk and Trump's movement, like Bannon, trying to justify the gesture as a routine action.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) criticized Bannon for his Nazi gesture, referring to his history of promoting antisemitism and violence. Although various groups celebrated Musk's gesture, there were criticisms regarding its possible normalization.
Amid the controversy, Bannon defended his action and called for the fight, ending his speech with the Nazi salute. This provoked an immediate reaction, raising concerns about the symbolism used and its historical connotations. In contrast, Verástegui showed his support for Musk and Trump, repeating the Nazi salute during his intervention.
