Hyatt Hotels says hate symbols ‘abhorrent’ amid comparisons of CPAC stage to Nazi rune

Event organizers denied any connection, claiming it was a conspiracy theory from cancel culture extremists

Stage design at the CPAC conference has been compared to Nazi symbol (REUTERS)

Hyatt Hotels said they had "deep concerns" after Twitter users compared the stage design of the Conservative Political Action Conference to a Norse rune used by Nazis during the Second World War.

The company, which is hosting CPAC at its Hyatt Regency Orlando property in Florida, released a statement addressing the comparison after it went viral on Twitter during the conference.

"We take the concern raised about the prospect of symbols of hate being included in the stage design at CPAC 2021 very seriously as all such symbols are abhorrent and unequivocally counter to our values as a company," the statement said

The pattern of the CPAC stage was compared to an Odal Rune, an ancient Norse symbol appropriated by the SS in Nazi Germany in their attempt to reconstruct a mythic Aryan past, according to the ADL.

Hyatt distanced itself from the event, saying it was hosted and managed by the American Conservative Union (ACU) that managed all aspects of event logistics, which included the stage design and aesthetics.

"We discussed directly with ACU leadership who told us that any resemblance to a symbol of hate is unintentional. We will continue to stay in dialogue with event organizers regarding our deep concerns," the statement said.

American Conservative Union chair Matt Schlapp denied any connection to the ruin or its use by Nazis, saying they were conspiracy theories from cancel culture extremists.

"Stage design conspiracies are outrageous and slanderous. We have a long-standing commitment to the Jewish community," Mr Schlapp said on Twitter.

"Cancel culture extremists must address antisemitism within their own ranks. CPAC proudly stands with our Jewish allies, including those speaking from this stage."

Republican party leadership spoke at CPAC over the weekend, culminating with the first major public appearance by Donald Trump since he left the White House.