Steve Bannon has been accused of making a Nazi salute at a conservative gathering where President Donald Trump is slated to speak this weekend, but says the gesture was merely “a wave.”

Steve Bannon, after calling for Trump to be President for life, did a Nazi salute on stage at CPAC. Nazism has officially taken over the GOP. The few remaining conservatives have a choice: either leave the party and obstruct it—or choose to be complicit. pic.twitter.com/94o5Kj69Le

Elon Musk was previously criticized for a similar gesture at a speech last month celebrating Trump’s inauguration.

The gesture comes as Trump and his allies have prompted growing alarm among critics about their embrace of authoritarian messaging and symbols.

Bardella announced his withdrawal from the conference after claiming Bannon made a "gesture referring to Nazi ideology" during a speech on Thursday. Bannon was accused of giving a Nazi salute after he extended his right arm out with palm facing out after his address, though he has denied the claim.

Trump's longtime ally and former strategist Stephen Bannon makes a straight-arm gesture that many see as a Nazi salute at a conservative gathering. He says it was just “a wave.”

Former top Trump adviser Steve Bannon denies making Nazi salute at CPAC and says Jordan Bardella is "unworthy to lead France".

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella on Friday cancelled his speech at the conservative CPAC conference in Washington after what he described as a Nazi salute by a speaker, an apparent reference to Steve Bannon,

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella canceled planned remarks at CPAC Friday, after ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon made a "gesture referring to Nazi ideology," according to a statement to French news agency Agence France-Presse.

Steve Bannon has denied claims of performing a Nazi salute during his speech at CPAC, arguing that he was merely waving to the audience. He asserts th