Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is facing little media scrutiny after making a one-handed gesture during a California speech Saturday—despite similar gestures from Elon Musk and Steve Bannon being labeled “Nazi salutes” earlier this year. Booker’s move—placing his hand over his heart before extending it outward—mirrored Musk’s widely condemned gesture at a Trump event in February.
The double standard hasn’t gone unnoticed. Walk Away Founder Brandon Straka posted side-by-side clips of Booker and Musk, writing, “Same gesture. Different political party. Funny how that works.” Others like Jack Posobiec mocked Newsweek’s careful description of Booker’s gesture as “not as forceful” as Musk’s.
Social media users pointed out that mainstream outlets who blasted Musk, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and CNN, have been silent on Booker’s hand gesture. Newsweek acknowledged the clip’s spread on “MAGA social media” but downplayed the story, instead focusing on Republicans’ reaction.
Musk previously explained his gesture as a sign of gratitude, placing his hand over his heart and extending his arm, saying, “My heart goes out to you.” A Breitbart News fact check found no Nazi intent in Musk’s gesture, while even the Anti-Defamation League called it “awkward” but not malicious.
Meanwhile, the same outlets that smeared Musk remain quiet on Booker, further exposing the media’s partisan double standard. The controversy has reignited criticism of legacy media’s selective outrage machine—one that attacks conservatives while protecting progressive politicians.
