Anglican cleric and conservative political commentator Calvin Robinson has had his ordination revoked following an incident in which he jokingly mimicked a Nazi salute to a crowd at a pro-life event.
Robinson had been ordained in the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC), a denomination in the continuing Anglican movement, which is separate from the Anglican Communion. He is also a regularly featured speaker at Turning Point U.S.A. events, including its Pastor Summit.
Robinson made the offensive gesture at the conclusion of an address he recently gave at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington, D.C.
“This I see as the last stand for the west,” Robinson said, referring to the United States. “The whole of the old world is crumbling. Every country in Europe is embracing death. America, as far as I can see, is the only country fighting for life.”
My heart goes out to you.
Make America Pro-Life Again. 🇺🇸🫡 pic.twitter.com/5bG8Gyy5fH
— Calvin Robinson (@calvinrobinson) January 29, 2025
Gesturing toward the audience, Robinson continued, “And that’s down to you guys. So God bless all of you for what you’re doing. Please keep doing it.”
“I hope that I can encourage you,” Robinson said, before putting his hand to his chest. Then extending his arm upward with a straightened hand, he added, “And my heart goes out to you.”
Robinson’s gesture was met with scattered laughter and then applause as he exited the stage.
Elon Musk’s Questionable Gesture Stirs Online Discussion
Robinson’s actions were a reference to those of tech mogul Elon Musk, who was accused of performing a Nazi salute to a crowd of Trump supporters following the presidential inauguration last week.
Musk said that he was sending his heart out to the crowd, and he twice put his hand to his chest before extending it out in an upward motion.
In the days that followed, Musk was subject to harsh criticism, and many speculated about whether the gesture was an intentional allusion to the infamous salute used by the German Nazi party.
In the midst of the controversy, online influencer Andrew Tate suggested that conservatives should embrace the Nazi salute as an act of defiance against political correctness.