Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, is facing an online storm after a gesture he made during a speech at the California Democratic Convention on Saturday. Booker placed his hand over his heart and then extended it outward to the crowd. Within hours, a video of the moment spread widely on social media. Critics were quick to draw comparisons to similar gestures made earlier this year by Elon Musk and Steve Bannon — both of which ignited widespread backlash for resembling a Nazi salute.
Booker, who has not issued any public response yet, delivered the gesture at the close of his speech before an audience of over 4,000 delegates.
Right-Wing figures react swiftly
The video was first posted by Richie Greenberg, a San Francisco-based political commentator and former Republican mayoral candidate, who captioned it: “Moments ago, Cory Booker salutes 4,000 CA Democrat Party delegates.”
It was then picked up by several conservative influencers and commentators. Collin Rugg, co-owner of the site Trending Politics, reposted the clip and remarked: “Looking forward to the wall-to-wall coverage from the 'honest' and totally not biased media.”
Gunther Eagleman, a right-wing social media figure, added: “Cory Booker is a straight up NAZI. WOW. HOLY S***!” Meanwhile, conservative journalist Nick Sortor went further, writing: “Cory Booker made a Nazi salute. He’s literally Hitler.”
One user wrote: “I'm literally shaking right now. Cory Booker is literally Hitler. I can't wait for fake news to cover this as extensively as they did Elon when he gave his heart out to everyone!”
Nazi Salute: A familiar gesture with loaded meaning
Earlier this year, Elon Musk faced similar scrutiny after making a gesture — hand on heart, then extended outward — during Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Critics said it resembled a Nazi salute. Musk, however, defended it, saying it meant: “My heart goes out to you.”
At the time, Musk posted on X: “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
Shortly after, Steve Bannon — former White House strategist and host of the War Room podcast — made a similar motion at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February while chanting: “Fight, fight, fight.”
Their supporters described it as a “Roman salute,” referencing depictions in 18th and 19th-century art. But historians note there’s no evidence such a gesture was used in ancient Rome.
Booker’s wider political message
Saturday’s incident has overshadowed the broader context of Booker’s recent activism. Just weeks ago, the 56-year-old senator delivered a 25-hour and 5-minute speech on the Senate floor — the longest since Senator Strom Thurmond's record in 1957 — protesting former President Trump’s agenda and Republican policies.
Referencing civil rights leader John Lewis, Booker urged Americans to cause “good trouble” in the face of injustice. The phrase also featured in Saturday’s convention speech.
“I think the Democratic Party lost a lot of elections because people didn't believe that they cared about them. So let's stop worrying about the politics and get more focused on the people,” Booker said after the event.
He added that he didn’t want to prescribe tactics for change but stressed the importance of citizen engagement: “I know one thing it's not is sitting down and doing nothing and just watching on TV and getting stuck in a state of sedentary agitation. Everybody has to be taking measures to put the pressure on to change.”
Who is Cory Booker?
Booker’s passionate engagement has helped boost his national profile. A recent poll by AtlasIntel ranked him fourth among potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential race, behind Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Pete Buttigieg.
Although he ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020, Booker has said he remains focused on running for Senate re-election in 2026. As for a White House bid, he told reporters: “2028 will take care of itself.”
Booker has neither confirmed nor denied whether the gesture was deliberate or meant to emulate Musk or Bannon. For now, the debate continues to unfold on social media — where perception often shapes reality faster than facts can catch up.
(With inputs from AP)
Booker, who has not issued any public response yet, delivered the gesture at the close of his speech before an audience of over 4,000 delegates.
Cory Booker sends his heart out to you
— Guy Squiggs (@GuySquiggs) May 31, 2025
pic.twitter.com/ShGqOc123D
Right-Wing figures react swiftly
The video was first posted by Richie Greenberg, a San Francisco-based political commentator and former Republican mayoral candidate, who captioned it: “Moments ago, Cory Booker salutes 4,000 CA Democrat Party delegates.”
It was then picked up by several conservative influencers and commentators. Collin Rugg, co-owner of the site Trending Politics, reposted the clip and remarked: “Looking forward to the wall-to-wall coverage from the 'honest' and totally not biased media.”
Moments ago, Cory Booker salutes 4,000 CA Democrat Party delegates. pic.twitter.com/5il76AeGhX
— Richie Greenberg (@greenbergnation) May 31, 2025
Gunther Eagleman, a right-wing social media figure, added: “Cory Booker is a straight up NAZI. WOW. HOLY S***!” Meanwhile, conservative journalist Nick Sortor went further, writing: “Cory Booker made a Nazi salute. He’s literally Hitler.”
One user wrote: “I'm literally shaking right now. Cory Booker is literally Hitler. I can't wait for fake news to cover this as extensively as they did Elon when he gave his heart out to everyone!”
Nazi Salute: A familiar gesture with loaded meaning
Earlier this year, Elon Musk faced similar scrutiny after making a gesture — hand on heart, then extended outward — during Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Critics said it resembled a Nazi salute. Musk, however, defended it, saying it meant: “My heart goes out to you.”
At the time, Musk posted on X: “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
Shortly after, Steve Bannon — former White House strategist and host of the War Room podcast — made a similar motion at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February while chanting: “Fight, fight, fight.”
Their supporters described it as a “Roman salute,” referencing depictions in 18th and 19th-century art. But historians note there’s no evidence such a gesture was used in ancient Rome.
Booker’s wider political message
Saturday’s incident has overshadowed the broader context of Booker’s recent activism. Just weeks ago, the 56-year-old senator delivered a 25-hour and 5-minute speech on the Senate floor — the longest since Senator Strom Thurmond's record in 1957 — protesting former President Trump’s agenda and Republican policies.
Referencing civil rights leader John Lewis, Booker urged Americans to cause “good trouble” in the face of injustice. The phrase also featured in Saturday’s convention speech.
“I think the Democratic Party lost a lot of elections because people didn't believe that they cared about them. So let's stop worrying about the politics and get more focused on the people,” Booker said after the event.
He added that he didn’t want to prescribe tactics for change but stressed the importance of citizen engagement: “I know one thing it's not is sitting down and doing nothing and just watching on TV and getting stuck in a state of sedentary agitation. Everybody has to be taking measures to put the pressure on to change.”
Who is Cory Booker?
Booker’s passionate engagement has helped boost his national profile. A recent poll by AtlasIntel ranked him fourth among potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential race, behind Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Pete Buttigieg.
Although he ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020, Booker has said he remains focused on running for Senate re-election in 2026. As for a White House bid, he told reporters: “2028 will take care of itself.”
Booker has neither confirmed nor denied whether the gesture was deliberate or meant to emulate Musk or Bannon. For now, the debate continues to unfold on social media — where perception often shapes reality faster than facts can catch up.
(With inputs from AP)
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