A viral video of Cory Booker sparks outrage as critics accuse the media of hypocrisy for treating his gesture more leniently than similar ones by Elon Musk.
At a Glance
- Cory Booker accused of making a Nazi-style salute at a Democratic event
- His team claimed it was an innocent wave, not a political signal
- Elon Musk faced harsher media coverage for a similar gesture in early 2025
- Piers Morgan and Rep. Elise Stefanik highlight perceived media double standards
- Experts call for more consistent media accountability in politically charged reporting
Media Bias and Gestures
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker became the latest lightning rod for cultural controversy after a video emerged showing him gesturing with his hand extended during a Democratic event in California. Right-wing influencers accused him of mimicking a Nazi salute. Booker’s spokesperson quickly dismissed the allegation, explaining it was “an enthusiastic wave.” The clip, however, drew immediate comparisons to earlier scandals involving Elon Musk and Steve Bannon, whose similar gestures were widely condemned by media outlets.
This disparity has not gone unnoticed. In January 2025, Musk was denounced globally after a wave during Donald Trump’s second inauguration was interpreted as a Nazi-like gesture. German officials demanded a travel ban, and U.S. media offered wall-to-wall coverage. The contrasting reaction to Booker’s gesture—downplayed by most mainstream outlets—has fueled allegations of media bias.
Watch a report: MAGA influencers accuse Cory Booker of Nazi-style salute.
The Double Standard Debate
Prominent figures quickly called out the difference in treatment. “If Elon Musk is a Nazi for doing this gesture… Cory Booker is one too,” tweeted activist Angela Belcamino, pointing to a Newsweek analysis of Booker’s defense. British broadcaster Piers Morgan and Rep. Elise Stefanik similarly condemned what they labeled selective outrage, with Stefanik describing media response as “corrupt and hypocritical.”
Further complicating the narrative, Elon Musk himself chimed in on Twitter, mocking the accusations as “dirty tricks” and calling the coordinated media reaction another “psy op.” While critics of Musk previously highlighted his political alliances, supporters argue the vilification reveals a broader trend of asymmetric media treatment depending on political alignment.
However, as many have pointed out, it’s highly unlikely a Black poilitician of liberal bent would be making a Nazi gesture.
Accountability and the Power of Narrative
Some observers, including the Anti-Defamation League, have urged caution in leaping to conclusions. A representative called Booker’s gesture “an awkward motion made in a moment of enthusiasm,” echoing similar past explanations for Musk’s wave. Nonetheless, the damage—amplified by partisan social media accounts—was already done.
The Daily Wire and Fox News both highlighted how liberal outlets ignored the Booker controversy while exploiting Musk’s. “Everyone is Hitler” attacks, Musk quipped, have become “sooo tired.”
Ultimately, this saga reveals a deeper truth: public perception is not shaped solely by facts, but by how those facts are framed. When one political figure’s gesture becomes a scandal and another’s is dismissed, trust in media objectivity erodes. For a divided nation, that erosion may be the most dangerous gesture of all.
