Newsweek's Double Standards on Cory Booker’s Gesture

Newsweek’s pen swings left, then right with glee,
For Booker’s wave, it’s “innocent,” you see.
But Musk’s salute? A fascist’s dark encore!
Same gesture, different rules—hypocrisy’s core.

Booker’s Gesture at Democratic Convention Sparks Controversy

On May 31, 2025, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker addressed the California Democratic Party’s annual convention at the Anaheim Convention Center, delivering a speech sharply critical of the Trump administration’s policies. At the end of his remarks, Booker placed his right hand over his heart before extending it toward the crowd, palm outward, in a gesture resembling a Roman salute. The moment, captured on video, quickly spread across social media, drawing attention from conservative commentators who noted its similarity to a gesture made by Elon Musk earlier in the year.

Newsweek’s Contrasting Coverage

Booker’s team was quick to respond to accusations of impropriety. His spokesperson, Maya Krishna-Rogers, told Newsweek that the senator was “merely waving to the audience” in an entirely innocent gesture. Newsweek accepted this explanation without question, framing the ensuing controversy as a manufactured outrage driven by Trump supporters. However, in January 2025, when Elon Musk made a nearly identical gesture at a rally celebrating Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Newsweek took a starkly different tone, publishing an opinion piece accusing Musk of “reviving the fascist salute.” The discrepancy in coverage has fueled accusations of media bias, with critics arguing that Newsweek applies different standards based on political affiliation.

Media Hypocrisy Under Fire

The stark contrast in Newsweek’s reporting has drawn sharp criticism from conservative voices, who see it as evidence of a broader pattern of selective outrage in mainstream media. Social media posts on X have highlighted the issue, with users pointing out that while Musk’s gesture was met with widespread condemnation and headlines labeling it a “Nazi salute,” Booker’s similar action received minimal scrutiny and no such inflammatory framing. This incident underscores a growing distrust in legacy media, with critics arguing that outlets like Newsweek tailor their narratives to protect allies while targeting opponents, further eroding public trust in journalism.