Cory Booker Responds to 'Nazi Salute' Accusation

Newsweek

2 days ago

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A spokesperson for Cory Booker told Newsweek Sunday that the New Jersey Senator was simply waving to the crowd after MAGA supporters claimed Booker had made a Nazi salute.
"Cory Booker was obviously just waving to the crowd. Anyone who claims his wave is the same as Elon Musk's gesture is operating in bad faith," Maya Krishna-Rogers, spokesperson for Booker, told Newsweek in an emailed statement Sunday. "The differences between the two are obvious to anyone without an agenda."
The statement comes after billionaire Elon Musk accused Booker of making a 'Nazi Salute' during a speech Saturday.
Newsweek reached out to Musk for comment by email Saturday during non-working hours.
Musk did post and repost several images and video of Booker on his social media Sunday, accusing him of doing the salute.
Why It Matters
The accusation from MAGA supporters against Booker follows a series of incidents involving Musk and Bannon in which they were accused of making the salute during their appearances.
Musk was accused in January of making the controversial gesture during a rally on Trump's second inauguration day, and he made a series of statements joking about Nazis on social media platform X, which he owns.
"Don't say Hess to Nazi accusations! Some people will Goebbels anything down! Stop Gőring your enemies! His pronouns would've been He/Himmler! Bet you did nazi that coming 😂," Musk said in one such post.
What To Know
As Newsweek previously reported, video shows Booker speaking at the Democratic convention Saturday in California. As he finished his speech, Booker puts his hand over his heart before extending his hand, fingers open, towards the crowd and returning both his hands to his heart.
The gesture is similar to the ones made by Musk and Bannon but not made as forcefully, the video shows.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks during a news conference following the weekly Senate Democrats policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks during a news conference following the weekly Senate Democrats policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Photo by Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images
Bannon was also accused of making the salute during a speech in February, which led to a political fallout that saw him drop out of the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland, Newsweek previously reported.
Following Musk's and Bannon's gestures, some defended the movements, calling them a 'Roman Salute' although it has not been proven that it was a widely practiced gesture.
Earlier this year, the New Jersey Senator made history by speaking on the Senate floor for 25 hours and five minutes.
The speech was largely critical of President Donald Trump's policies on immigration, DEI, and spending cuts.
What People Are Saying
Angela Belcamino, host of "Last Week on X", posted on X: "If Elon Musk is a Nazi for doing this gesture... Cory Booker is one too. Sorry, I don't make the rules."
Collin Rugg, co-owner of conservative news site Trending Politics, posted on X Saturday: "Democrat Senator Cory Booker appears to do a "Nazi" salute in front of a large crowd of Democrats. I'm looking forward to the wall to wall coverage from the "honest" and totally not biased media."
What Happens Next
It is unclear when Booker will speak next or if he will issue further statements on the accusations made by MAGA.
A schedule for the senator is not available on his website.
The Democratic Convention in Anaheim continues Sunday with an award ceremony, committee reports, and adoption of resolutions listed on the agenda.