Premier Giorgia Meloni's highly anticipated speech during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2025 was marred by controversy surrounding former Trump aide Steve Bannon, who allegedly made a Nazi salute during his appearance at the event. Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister and leader of Brothers of Italy (FdI), addressed attendees through a video link, with political commentators gearing up for her performance amid growing tensions.
Antonio Giordano, secretary general of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group and member of the Brothers of Italy, defended Meloni's upcoming speech, asserting, "I have no reason to believe anything will change with respect to Giorgia Meloni's speech at CPAC, which will be excellent as always," as reported by ANSA. His remarks came after opposition MPs challenged Meloni's participation at CPAC, insisting she withdraw from the event following accusations directed at Bannon.
Giordano, who attended Bannon's speech, firmly stated, "I was in the audience during Bannon's speech and it didn't seem to me at all he made a Nazi salute. I would invite the left to stop arguing about nothing and to discuss ideas." His defense was aimed at defusing backlash arising from the alleged gesture, a move which has since escalated discussions on far-right expression.
During Bannon's address, he reportedly encouraged the crowd by raising his arms and calling for spectators to "fight, fight, fight." Critics interpreted one of his arm gestures as resembling the infamous Nazi salute, igniting sharp reactions. Giordano provided additional clarifications, pointing out, "At the end of his speech, Bannon gestured a lot, very passionately, even with closed fists in the sign of encouragement." He elaborated on Bannon's animated performance, arguing it was more reminiscent of military encouragement than extremist symbolism.
The controversy did not stem solely from Bannon’s actions. French National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella canceled his speech at CPAC after learning of the incident involving Bannon. Bardella issued a statement clarifying his decision: "I had been invited to make a speech on the links between the United States and France, as well as the recent electoral dynamic of patriot parties in Europe. Yesterday, one of the speakers out of provocation allowed himself a gesture alluding to Nazi ideology. I took the immediate decision to cancel my speech." This withdrawal reflected the delicate balance many European far-right leaders now seek to maintain.
Bardella's remarks emphasized his disapproval of any associations with extremist gestures, even if he wasn’t directly present during the occurrence. His proactive stance to withdraw highlights the complexity and responsibility faced by young leaders like Bardella, who strive to distance themselves from past associations linked to neo-Nazi sympathizers.
Nevertheless, Giordano challenged the narrative surrounding the allegations, arguing the significance of such gestures was overly exaggerated. He stated, "Do you think it's possible Bannon would then start making Nazi salutes? We're not joking." He emphasized the need for more objective scrutiny, hinting at broader societal biases, and calling for constructive political dialogue instead of mere sensationalism.
The backdrop to this incident features the fluctuated but increasingly vocal far-right movement across both Europe and the United States. With Meloni recently positioning herself as one of the prominent figures advocating for conservative principles, her presence and acknowledgment by CPAC signify the growing intersection of these political ideologies.
The events at CPAC not only reveal the examples of contemporary politics and the struggles the far-right faces but also mark the challenges of communication and perception within their ranks. While some leaders like Bardella are careful to navigate away from ideologically fraught symbols, others, including Bannon, appear to embody stark confrontations with the historical narratives they endeavor to either invoke or oppose.
Meloni's anticipated address remains under considerable scrutiny, with many wondering whether it will address the situation surrounding Bannon or brush over it entirely. The outcome is seen as pivotal, potentially impacting the interpretation of right-wing movements and their expressions across Europe and beyond.
Despite the uproar, attendees and viewers alike look forward to Meloni’s opinions on issues directly affecting European unity, political identity, and social issues, which may serve to anchor the chaotic scene developing at CPAC. The echoes of Bannon's actions will likely flavor perceptions long after Meloni concludes her address.
The underlying question remains whether far-right movements can sustain their momentum without losing sight of their ideological foundations, especially amid proactive public scrutiny. The political stage at CPAC is just one front of the multi-faceted battles taking place across Europe, as leaders like Meloni and Bardella endeavor to position themselves within this contentious atmosphere, seeking to reconcile their identities with public expectations.