Disagreement between Two Historic Scholars Regarding a Particular Historical Event
updated article:
After Donald Trump's second inauguration on January 20th, 2017, Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump, made a curious gesture in front of the world's cameras—a fist pump to his chest followed by a twice-repeated open-palm extension. The gesture, similar to the brutish salute used by fascist regimes, including those of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, reignited discussions about the potential alignment of Trump's MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement with fascist ideology.
The hullabaloo surrounding Musk's gesture was revived a month later when Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor associated with far-right politics, employed a similar gesture at the Conservative Political Action Conference. This multifaceted debate has stirred the political-media landscape and academic circles since Trump's first term. However, some like John Kelly, Trump's former Chief of Staff, and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, argue against labeling Trump's policy as "fascist," with the debate remaining contentious.
Steve Bannon's gesture was not repeated in 2017 but took place in 2025 at the Conservative Political Action Conference. The gesture, referred to as a "Roman salute," drew swift controversy due to its perceived resemblance to fascist symbolism. While its exact historical ties to Rome are subject to debate, the gesture's association with 20th-century fascist regimes, particularly the Nazi "Sieg Heil" salute, dominated public and political reactions.
The gesture's impact was significant, reflecting mounting tensions within the MAGA movement and the broader far-right. Bannon's gesture coincided with escalating conflicts between populist "Traditionalists" and tech-aligned factions of Trumpism, highlighting ideological schisms over issues like social welfare programs and budget priorities. The incident also resulted in political backlash, including the cancellation of appearances by far-right leaders seeking to soften their party's image.
Furthermore, the lack of direct condemnation from Trump himself signaled a tacit acceptance of provocateurs within the MAGA movement. This pattern mirrors ongoing debates about the movement's tolerance for extremist rhetoric and symbols. While no direct link exists between this 2025 incident and Trump's 2017 administration, the episode underscores the ongoing struggle to define the MAGA movement's ideological boundaries, particularly as it grapples with its populist roots and alliances with anti-establishment figures.
- Elon Musk's fist pump and open-palm extension, reminiscent of fascist salutes, stirred debate about the potential ideological alignment of the MAGA movement with fascism, repeating discussions from Trump's first term.
- The multidimensional debate, including politics, general news, crime and justice, and academic circles, revolves around labeling Trump's policy as fascist, with opinions divided among political figures like John Kelly and historians such as Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
- Steve Bannon's repetition of the "Roman salute" in 2025 caused a splash in the political-media landscape, fueling concerns over the MAGA movement's links to fascist symbolism and ideology, echoing the controversies in 2017 and 2025.
- The parallel between the lack of Trump's direct condemnation of provocative gestures and his administration's toleration of extremist rhetoric and symbols was highlighted, raising questions about the movement's true ideological stance and boundaries.
- The recurring use of musk (as a synonym for smoke) in various news headlines covering the ongoing war-and-conflicts and controversies involving the MAGA movement suggests a smoky veil shrouding the movement's true intentions and ideology.
