Nebraska Republican Denies Doing a 'Nazi Salute' in Photo With Her Dog

Newsweek

6 hours ago

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Nebraska Republican Party Communications Director Haile McAnally rejected accusations on social media that she made a Nazi salute in a recent photo with her dog.
"My arm was just up," she said in a post on X. "There was zero meaning behind it."
Newsweek reached out to McAnally via direct message on X and Nebraska's Republican Party via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The social media accusations against McAnally emerged at a time of heightened sensitivity to Nazi references within American political and social discourse.
High-profile public figures, such as tech billionaire Elon Musk and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, have been accused of making similar gestures.
What To Know
On Sunday, McAnally posted a mirror selfie of her sitting with her dog on a bed with her arm raised above her head and the caption: "Dog mom-ing it today."
Several X users accused McAnally of performing a Nazi salute, including the progressive account Definitely Not Al Gore (@AlDefinitely), which said in a separate post: "The communications director for the Nebraska Republican Party is an open Nazi."
Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt, an independent in Omaha's District 8, posted on X: "Did you get the views Haile? Did you get the clicks? Did you get the engagement? Here's the Nebraska GOP comms director & Omaha Young Republican chair 'throwing a Roman' as the young Nazis say."
McAnally later shared a post that defended her on X and wrote, "My arm was just up. There was zero meaning behind it. I think it's weird that those salutes are a 'trend.' And it is not one I wish to be a part of. That is all."
The controversy follows similar accusations against public figures.
In January, Musk was accused of making a Nazi-style salute at President Donald Trump's inauguration, sparking widespread criticism and debate. Musk denied the allegations on X, stating he was being attacked by "radical leftists."
Trump loyalist Steve Bannon was also accused of performing the salute at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February.
Bannon insisted his gesture was a "wave" and said it was the "exact same wave" he had performed previously while addressing a National Rally conference.
In May, Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, faced allegations from some Trump supporters that he made a Nazi salute during a public event.
Booker's spokesperson told Newsweek, "Cory Booker was obviously just waving to the crowd. Anyone who claims his wave is the same as Elon Musk's gesture is operating in bad faith. The differences between the two are obvious to anyone without an agenda."
What People Are Saying
Conservative social media figure Benjamin Uber defended McAnally on X: "Haile is NOT Doing a Nazi salute. Y'all are seeing Nazis where there are not Nazis.If you continue to normalize calling people who are not Nazis, Nazis, people will then embrace it whether they are or not."
Elon Musk said after he was accused of using a Nazi salute: "The radical leftists are really upset that they had to take time out of their busy day praising Hamas to call me a Nazi."
The Anti-Defamation League said of Musk's gesture at the time: "It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge."
What Happens Next
It remains uncertain whether McAnally or the Nebraska Republican Party will make further statements addressing the controversy. The trend of scrutinizing gesture and symbolism in political and public life is expected to continue, as social media amplifies both genuine concerns and misinterpretations.
Broader debates about the normalization of extremist language and iconography are likely to persist and intensify as the U.S. enters another election cycle.