A right-wing clergyman was expelled from his congregation after attempting to replicate the provocative “salute” that Elon Musk made at President Donald Trump’s inaugural rally last week.
During his speech at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington D.C. over the weekend, Father Calvin Robinson—a religious figure linked to the far-right movement in the United Kingdom, as reported by The Daily Mail—asserted that “this is the final battle for Christendom.”
He warned, “It’s a pivotal moment. The entirety of the old world is disintegrating. Every nation in Europe is succumbing to death. As far as I can tell, America is the only nation combatting for life.”
As he concluded his address, Robinson lifted his arm to imitate Musk’s contentious gesture made on Inauguration Day, which many have drawn parallels to the Nazi salute.
This moment gained traction after being shared on X by the progressive advocacy group Right Wing Watch, accumulating 1.3 million views.
Robinson was affiliated with the Anglican Catholic Church, distinct from the Roman Catholic Church, which adheres to “traditional Christian values,” according to its official website.
The Church responded to Robinson’s action in a statement posted on its website, announcing that his affiliation with the ACC has been terminated.
“While we cannot speculate on Mr. Robinson’s intentions during this act, it looks as though he was attempting to gain favor with certain sectors of the American political right by inciting its adversaries,” the Church stated. “Mr. Robinson had already been cautioned that engaging in online trolling and similar behaviors (whether for the left or right) is not consistent with a priestly role and was instructed to refrain from such actions.”
They further stated, “Clearly, he has disregarded this warning, and therefore, his authorization within this Church has been revoked. He no longer serves as a priest in the ACC.”
Similar to Musk’s salute, Robinson’s action faced backlash and was likened to the “Sieg Heil” salute from Nazi Germany as the video spread rapidly on X. Addressing the situation in a tweet on Wednesday, Robinson claimed he received “hundreds of hateful calls, texts, voicemails, and emails” from “very upset, angry, spiteful leftists.”
“They often embody the very traits they accuse others of,” wrote Robinson. “I am not a Nazi. However, I forgive your ignorance.”
He added with a salute emoji, “My compassion is with you! 🫡💙”
Robinson also released an extensive statement on X Wednesday night, clarifying that his “joke” was meant to ridicule “hysterical ‘liberals’ who labeled Elon Musk a Nazi for clearly demonstrating that his heart was aligned with his audience.”
“My attempt at humor, in that quintessential British style, was neither a jest targeting WWII nor an indication of my association with the National Socialist Party,” he stated. “That would be an incredibly misguided and unfair conclusion to draw. The reactions are revealing, though. The individuals who grasp the context, applaud—those who are willing to understand see the truth. Those who refuse to comprehend reach for their pitchforks.”
Musk, who has strongly denied that he was giving a Nazi salute, has yet to publicly address Robinson’s striking hand gesture.
