France far-right leader Bardella cancels US speech after ex-Trump aide makes 'Nazi gesture' [View all]

Source: France 24

France's far-right leader Jordan Bardella said Friday he had cancelled his speech at a right-wing meeting in Washington after a "gesture alluding to Nazi ideology" by conservative firebrand Steve Bannon.

The president of France's National Rally party (RN), who is in the US capital, said he was not present when Bannon – one of the masterminds behind Trump's 2016 presidential campaign – made a gesture that has been described as a Nazi salute on Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

"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," Bardella said in a statement.

"Yesterday, while I was not present in the room, one of the speakers out of provocation allowed himself a gesture alluding to Nazi ideology. I therefore took the immediate decision to cancel my speech that had been scheduled this afternoon," he said.

Read more: https://www.france24.com/en/france/20250221-france-far-right-leader-cancels-us-speech-after-ex-trump-aide-makes-nazi-gesture-stage-jordan-bardella