Michigan Priest Dismissed After Performing Nazi Salute During Speech

A priest affiliated with the Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been dismissed following an incident where he seemingly replicated a Nazi salute. Calvin Robinson, who was the priest-in-charge, made the gesture during a speech on January 25th at the National Pro-Life Summit held in Washington D.C., where he quoted Elon Musk and then imitated a straight-arm motion.

In the wake of the incident, the Anglican Catholic Church issued a statement revoking Robinson’s license, emphasizing that mimicking the Nazi salute—regardless of intent—trivializes the atrocities of the Holocaust and undermines the sacrifices made against its perpetrators. The church described the act as damaging and contrary to the principles of Christian compassion.

On social media, Robinson characterized his actions as a joke aimed at ridiculing "liberals" who labeled Musk a Nazi. He expressed that he does not identify as a Nazi and suggested that his humor was simply an example of British dry wit, insisting that it was not intended to disrespect World War II or imply any affiliation with the National Socialist Party.

Following the incident, social media discussions drew parallels between Robinson's actions and Musk’s previously noted behaviors, which some have deemed fascist. Musk, who had made light of the incident on his platform X, had also recently appeared at a far-right rally in Germany, where he made controversial remarks about national pride and multiculturalism, further complicating the narrative around his actions and comments.