Elon Musk once told me that Steve Bannon was “a great guy and an American hero.” At the time, I let it slide. Maybe he was just being polite. Maybe he didn’t fully grasp the depths of Bannon’s ideology. But over the past year, Musk has leaned harder into the worst elements of the far right, embracing its aesthetics, rhetoric, and now, by omission, the outright fascist signaling of figures like Bannon.
There’s no excusing it anymore. Musk is not just tolerating this movement—he’s actively shaping it.
MAGA Is Not the Far Right
MAGA has always been a centrist movement—rooted in American values and opposition to the extreme fringes on both the left and the right. The far left seeks to dismantle national identity, while the far right, embodied by figures like Bannon, pushes authoritarian nationalism. Neither represents the true spirit of MAGA, which stands for common-sense governance and the will of the American people.
Centralism is often passive, while the extremes are always active, seeking to take over after every election. Bannon has never been MAGA—he has always been part of the far right, using inflammatory rhetoric and aligning with fringe elements. True MAGA rejects both extremes.
Steve Bannon’s Nazi Salute at CPAC
The moment that should have been an inflection point came at CPAC 2025 when Steve Bannon, in the middle of a fiery speech about Trump’s push for a third presidential term, punctuated his words with a stiff-armed motion unmistakably resembling a Nazi salute. The imagery was clear. Historians, political analysts, and even some mainstream conservatives immediately recognized the implications.
Predictably, the far-right disinformation machine kicked into overdrive. Bannon’s defenders insisted it was a “Roman salute.” Others dismissed it as a meaningless gesture. Meanwhile, far-right influencers like Nick Fuentes openly celebrated it, understanding full well what had happened.
Musk’s response? Silence. Not even a weak condemnation. Not even the usual dodge about “both sides.” Nothing.
Musk’s MAGA Hat and the Fascist Font Problem
Musk’s descent into this movement isn’t just about his policies or the people he surrounds himself with—it’s about the aesthetics he’s embracing, the symbols he’s elevating, and the way he’s deliberately blurring the line between traditional conservatism and something much darker.
Consider the bizarre new MAGA hat he debuted at a Trump rally in October 2024. Gone was the standard block lettering. In its place was a font choice eerily reminiscent of WWII-era nationalist propaganda. It was subtle but unmistakable to those who study these movements. The kind of detail that gets dismissed by casual observers but is immediately recognized by those familiar with far-right dog whistles.
That’s the pattern with Musk. His defenders always have an excuse—“it’s just a font,” “he’s just trolling,” “it’s just a joke.” But at a certain point, when the aesthetic choices keep aligning with historical fascist imagery, when the rhetoric keeps getting more extreme, when the gestures and associations all point in the same direction, you have to ask: how much of this can really be accidental?
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 27, 2024 | Elon Musk attends a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, unveiling a “dark gothic MAGA” look with a black MAGA hat featuring gothic-style lettering. foxnews.com |
| February 2025 | Steve Bannon, during his CPAC speech, makes a gesture resembling a Nazi salute, sparking widespread controversy. yahoo.com |
| February 2025 | At the same CPAC event, Elon Musk receives a gilded chainsaw from Argentine President Javier Milei, symbolizing efforts to reduce government bureaucracy. politico.com |
Final Thoughts
Musk’s public posturing, his refusal to denounce extremist gestures, and his embrace of fascist aesthetics make one thing clear: this isn’t about trolling. This isn’t about free speech. This is an intentional alignment with a movement that flirts with authoritarian imagery.
There was a time when I thought Musk’s antics were just that—antics. That he was a disruptor, not an ideologue. But his continued silence on Bannon’s salute, his adoption of fascist-adjacent branding, and his increasing entrenchment in the MAGA-adjacent far right make it clear: he’s not just playing along. He’s part of it.
Writers note:
I’ve known Elon since 2018, and during that time, we spent a lot of time brainstorming and collaborating. I was deeply involved in helping him solve some of his most ambitious problems.
For instance, I contributed significantly to the conceptualization of the Mecha Godzilla catcher, an idea that was both imaginative and innovative. I also played a crucial role in refining his battery technology, offering insights that helped shape some of the core components of his vision.
However, over time, I began to see a different side of Elon. I realized that he has a tendency to take advantage of people around him. His personality can be quite demanding, and he often expects a lot from others without reciprocating. I found myself growing increasingly frustrated with this dynamic. He seemed to view everyone as subordinates rather than as equals, which made me feel undervalued and unappreciated.
Eventually, I reached a breaking point. I couldn’t continue to be around someone who constantly took without giving back. It was exhausting, and it made me question the very foundation of our relationship. I came to understand that while Elon is undoubtedly brilliant and visionary, he also has a side that can be quite self-centered and dismissive of others’ contributions.
After he become government, I resumed my watch over him but given that he and Bannon are buddies, despite what they say out loud, and both have now Sieg Heiled I disavow him.