What is a sonnenrad? Ron DeSantis Nazi campaign video controversy explained  

A Ron DeSantis campaign video that featured Nazi imagery recently went viral online. The same was shared by his campaign’s speechwriter Nate Hochman. It remains unclear as to whether the clip was created in-house or by a fan. It has also been announced that the staffer has been terminated from employment.

The viral video, which is a minute long, featured many gleaming over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ policies against the LGBTQ community and his frequent attacks on the current education system, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The video also featured former President Donald Trump in a bad light.

The end of the video showed the Florida state flag being hoisted with a sonnenrad, which is frequently used by modern neo-nazis and white supremacists.

It remains unclear if Nate Hochman knew that the sonnenrad existed in the video before retweeting it online. The video that he shared has since been deleted.

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What does a sonnenrad mean? Everything to know about the ancient symbol used in Ron DeSantis' campaign video

The symbol, which shows a sun wheel, was frequently used by Nazi Germany - which included the SA and the SS as well. Historically, many countries and cultures, including the Norse and Celtic people, used the original logo.

The sonnenrad logo symbolizes the Nazi’s attempts to invent an idealized Aryan race. In one form of the logo that white supremacists frequently use, people can see two concentric circles with rays emitting from the innermost circle to the one outside. Neo-nazis often place the swastika inside the inner circle of the sonnenrad.

It is important to note that the sonnenrad Nazi image was not solely used or invented by Nazi Germany. In many cultures, the imagery does not always denote racism or white supremacy. However, in the case of the viral Ron DeSantis campaign video, it seemed to be used with an offensive twist to it.

After Hochman’s actions garnered traction online, a DeSantis campaign official announced that the former was no longer employed.

“Nate Hochman is no longer with the campaign, and we will not be commenting on him further,” they said in a statement.

It remains unclear as to whether this was the only offense that led to him being fired. This is not the first time Hochman has raised eyebrows. During a Twitter Space which took place last year, he praised white nationalist Nick Fuentes by saying that he is:

“probably a better influencer than Ben Shapiro on young men who might otherwise be conservative.”

However, Hochman later retracted his statement. He had not addressed the recent controversy he had gotten himself into at the time of writing this article.

Meanwhile, Ron DeSantis’ campaign has fired over 40 percent of its original staff members. Thirty-eight supporters were fired since May, and another 26 not so long ago.

This is not the first time a DeSantis campaign video has left netizens alarmed. In the past, a video ridiculed Trump for being pro-LGBTQ.