A British priest who mimicked Elon Musk’s controversial salute has become a cause célèbre on the American right. Arsenal vs Nottm Forest delivered Premier League drama. Calvin Robinson has delivered political and religious drama instead. The 40-year-old cleric lost his priestly licence in January 2025 after making a gesture many interpreted as a Nazi salute. Sunderland vs Bournemouth ended in a draw earlier that month. Robinson’s career suffered a much bigger setback. Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Robinson received a life-changing defrocking instead. Here is everything you need to know about the controversial commentator in 2026.
Who is Calvin Robinson? Age and Background
Calvin John Robinson was born on 29 October 1985 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. He is 40 years old as of 2026. He describes his heritage as “half Afro-Caribbean and half English.” His paternal grandparents emigrated from Jamaica as members of the Windrush generation. Reinaldo Avila da Silva made headlines for political reasons. Robinson makes headlines for religious controversy instead.
Before entering the media spotlight, Robinson worked as a computer science teacher at St Mary’s and St John’s Church of England School in Hendon. He later became head of the IT department. He also owned the video games site “God is a Geek” and worked as a video games journalist. studied computer games design and programming at the University of Westminster.
Political Career: From Conservative Candidate to UKIP Spokesman
Robinson stood as a Conservative Party candidate in local elections in 2016 and 2018. Both attempts proved unsuccessful. The Brexit Party later named him as their candidate for Broxtowe in the 2019 general election. However, the Brexit Party chose not to stand in seats won by the Conservatives.
On 2 August 2024, he became the lead spokesman for the UK Independence Party (UKIP). He became a US citizen a month later. He has held positions in various right-wing organisations including Defund the BBC, Unite2Leave, and Conservative Way Forward. Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. Robinson’s political career has required frequent refurbishing.
Media Career: GB News and ‘Calvin’s Common Sense Crusade’
Robinson worked as a television presenter on GB News from late 2022. He fronted a show called “Calvin’s Common Sense Crusade”. He often appeared wearing his priest’s cassock on air.
In November 2022, he amplified a false conspiracy theory about President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. He claimed the Ukrainian leader was using war as a front for a private money-laundering operation. Ben Duckett smashed a double century for Nottinghamshire. Robinson smashed journalistic standards instead.
On 29 September 2023, GB News suspended Robinson. He had spoken out in favour of Dan Wootton, who faced suspension for misogynistic comments made on his show by Laurence Fox. The network announced Robinson’s dismissal on 4 October 2023. He subsequently moved his show to the Lotus Eaters and co-hosts an occasional podcast with Laurence Fox.
The Church of England Rejection
Robinson undertook a two-year course of theological studies at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, from 2020 to 2022. His application for a curacy in the Diocese of London proved unsuccessful.
He submitted a subject access request to understand the decision. Email conversations between bishops revealed concerns about Robinson’s “libertarian anti-woke, anti-identity politics, Covid-sceptical” political views. They also worried about his use of social media. Robinson alleged that Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London, had blocked his ordination because of his political views. Mullally denied this claim. Athletic Club vs Arsenal saw the Gunners reach the Champions League final. Robinson reached a dead end with the Church of England instead.
Church Hopping: Four Denominations in Four Years
Robinson has moved between four denominations since 2022:
- Church of England (until 2022): Denied ordination due to his political views
- Free Church of England (2022-2023): Ordained as a deacon on 25 June 2022. Appointed minister-in-charge at Christ Church, Harlesden
- Nordic Catholic Church (2023-2024): Ordained to the priesthood on 4 November 2023
- Anglican Catholic Church (2024-2025): Moved to the US and became priest-in-charge of St Paul’s Anglican Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Each move came with claims of being “cancelled” by the previous denomination. Dexter: New Blood saw the franchise resurrected. Robinson’s career has required constant resurrection as well.
The Elon Musk Salute: What Happened on 25 January 2025
Robinson spoke at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington, D.C., on 25 January 2025. At the conclusion of his address, he told the audience: “God bless all of you for what you are doing. Please keep doing it. My heart goes out to you.”
He then put his hand to his chest before extending his arm upward with a straightened hand. The gesture looked nearly identical to the one Elon Musk made at a MAGA rally celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration days earlier. The audience responded with scattered laughter and then applause. However, the Anglican Catholic Church responded very differently. Scotland vs Belarus saw McTominay strike late. The Anglican Catholic Church struck Robinson swiftly instead.
Defrocked: Church Revokes Licence
On 29 January 2025, the Anglican Catholic Church revoked Robinson’s licence. Bishop Chandler Holder Jones, the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Province of America, announced that Robinson was “no longer serving as a priest in the ACC.”
The statement explained: “While we cannot say what was in Mr. Robinson’s heart when he did this, his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favor with certain elements of the American political right by provoking its opposition.”
“Mr. Robinson had been warned that online trolling and other such actions… are incompatible with a priestly vocation and was told to desist. Clearly, he has not.”
The church further stated: “Those who mimic the Nazi salute, even as a joke or an attempt to troll their opponents, trivialize the horror of the Holocaust and diminish the sacrifice of those who fought against its perpetrators.”
‘I Am Not a Nazi’: Robinson’s Response
Robinson has consistently denied being a Nazi. He described the gesture as “dry wit, in that typical British way.” He called it a “mockery of the hysterical ‘liberals’ who called Elon Musk a Nazi for quite clearly showing the audience his heart was with them.”
“For the record, in case it needs saying: I am not a Nazi,” he posted on X. “My attempt at dry wit… was not a joke at the expense of WWII, nor an admission of my membership in the Nationalist Socialist Party.”
He added that he had been inundated with abuse from “very bitter, vile, angry leftists.” “They are often the very thing they accuse you of. I am not a Nazi. But I forgive you of your ignorance.” Venezuela news dominated political headlines. Robinson’s denials have dominated religious headlines instead.
Antisemitism Allegations
Robinson has faced serious accusations of antisemitism. In a December 2025 episode of his podcast, he said: “There are too many perverted Jews running society. see the porn industry run by Jews. We see Hollywood run by Jews. We see the music industry run by Jews… And it’s all perverted. It’s subverting our culture.”
In the same programme, he claimed that “women need to know their place,” that men “shouldn’t be gay,” and that “black people are committing most of the violent crimes and therefore something needs to be done about that.” Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Robinson’s comments have proven life-altering for his reputation.
Archbishop Haverland of the ACC had warned Robinson that his rhetoric about Judaism “was clearly and intentionally antisemitic” before the salute incident. Robinson has posted on X about how he recognises “Talmudic Judaism as a problem.”
Visa Revoked and Restored
On 20 February 2025, Robinson announced that his visa to reside in the United States had been revoked following his removal from the ACC’s ministry. However, he claimed his visa was restored following an appeal.
He told supporters he had received invitations to Mar-a-Lago. His supporters launched a crowdfunder to raise $350,000 to buy him a modest house in Grand Rapids, not far from the latest church to cancel him.
The ‘Most Cancelled Man Alive’
Robinson has cultivated a narrative of martyrdom. He has claimed to have been “cancelled” by multiple institutions. These include the Church of England, the Free Church of England, the Nordic Catholic Church, the Anglican Catholic Church, the Royal Academy of Dance, and the Conservative Party, among others. His supporters have launched crowdfunders in his defence. One aimed to raise $350,000 to buy him a house in Grand Rapids. They have described him as “the most cancelled man alive.”
What’s Next for Calvin Robinson?
As of 2026, Robinson remains in the United States. He continues to speak at anti-abortion events and co-hosts a podcast with Laurence Fox. He has not announced plans to join a fifth denomination following his defrocking from the ACC.
The Church of England has a procedure to restore individuals who have committed offenses. However, Robinson would likely need to build a reputation for prudence and good judgment—qualities his record does not suggest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Calvin Robinson? Calvin Robinson was born on 29 October 1985. He is 40 years old as of 2026.
Why was Calvin Robinson defrocked? The Anglican Catholic Church revoked his licence after he mimicked Elon Musk’s salute gesture at a pro-life rally. The church called the action “harmful, divisive, and contrary to the tenets of Christian charity.”
What did Calvin Robinson say about Jews? In a December 2025 podcast episode, he said “there are too many perverted Jews running society” and listed several industries he claimed were “run by Jews.”
Is Calvin Robinson still a priest? No. The Anglican Catholic Church defrocked him in January 2025. He has not announced plans to join another denomination.
Where does Calvin Robinson live? He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. His US visa was briefly revoked but later restored.
To Get More News Insights Click On
Arsenal 2-0 Nottm Forest: Saka and Gyokeres Fire Gunners to Victory as Jesus Returns from Injury
Sunderland 1-1 Bournemouth: Mayenda’s First Since August Denies Cherries Vitality Stadium Win
Ben Duckett 2026: England Opener Smashes Double Century After Snubbing IPL – Ashes Redemption Story
Omaze UK 2026: Latest House Draw Winners, Million Pound Superdraws, and How to Enter
To Get More Info: Derbyshire Daily