> The Roman salute has no direct connection to the Roman Empire. It was largely an invention of the 19th and 20th centuries

Ok.

> You sound like you want to defend the gesture for some reason.

Not at all. I want to defend people who use it and don’t intend to associate with nazism.

> Whether or not he personally identifies with fascist ideology is secondary to the effect of his actions.

That is certainly true. But just because the pitchfork brigade has got riled up, there is no reason to applaud them.