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A RIGHT-WING priest has strongly denied claims he is a Nazi after appearing to copy a salute that was made by Elon Musk at Donald Trump’s inauguration celebrations.
Calvin Robinson made the gesture at the end of his address at the National Pro-Life summit in Washington DC on Friday, causing a stir online.
The event was held just days after Musk came under fire for making what looked like a stiff-armed Roman salute at Trump’s inaugural parade held at Capital One Arena.
In his remarks, he claimed the old world is “crumbling” and only America is “fighting for life.”
He told event goers that his heart went out to them before he thumped his chest and made a gesture resembling a Roman salute.
In an X post, he claimed that he’s received hundreds of “nasty” calls and messages.
“I am not a Nazi,” he vowed.
In a subsequent statement, he claimed that he was “mocking hysterical liberals” who accused Elon Musk of being a Nazi.
“Context is key, but sometimes people ignore context to confirm their own prejudices,” he said.
“People see what they want to see.”
Robinson denied any suggestions he was making light of World War II.
Robinson was a priest with the Anglican Church in the UK and a representative issued a statement after the footage surfaced on social media.
“While we cannot say what was in Mr. Robinson’s heart when he did this, his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favor with certain elements of the American political right by provoking its opposition,” the spokesperson said.
The church confirmed his license has been revoked.
“He is no longer serving as a priest in the ACC,” the spokesperson said.
Musk made the gesture at the parade after reveling in the thought that America could land a man on Mars.
“It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured,” he told the supporters in attendance.
Musk’s salute sparked a flurry of discussion online.
The Tesla and SpaceX mogul was widely condemned by prominent Democrats including firebrand left-wing congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
GESTURE STORM
Musk lashed out at Wikipedia after a screenshot from the website was shared on X.
It claimed he made a gesture that had been “compared” to a far-right salute.
A representative for the Anti-Defamation League described Musk’s gesture as “awkward.”
“This is a delicate moment,” it wrote on X.
“It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge.
“Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety.”
‘FALSELY SMEARED’
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Musk was being “falsely smeared.”
Defending Musk, Netanyahu said the entrepreneur is a friend of Israel.
Musk visited Israel just weeks after Hamas carried out the deadly October 7 terror attacks.
Nazi salutes were used as greetings in Germany under the Third Reich.
But, it is illegal to make Nazi-style salutes in countries such as Germanyand Austria.
Austria was under Nazi occupation during World War II.
