No one can keep former U.S. President Donald Trump away from one woman: Laura Loomer.
As Trump embarks on his third presidential campaign, his associates and advisors have done everything they can to shield him from far-right figure Laura Loomer, a social media influencer and conspiracy theorist.
This week, Loomer’s presence alongside Trump drew sharp criticism, according to NBC.
The black-haired American traveled with Trump on his jet to attend his debate with Kamala Harris and the memorial events for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Her presence at these ceremonies angered both Democrats and Republicans, as one of the many conspiracy theories she promotes is that the 9/11 tragedy was “orchestrated from within.”
Loomer’s return to Trump’s side is causing turmoil within his campaign, especially among those who want to avoid basing his campaign on conspiracy theories, reports the BBC.
Nevertheless, Trump’s public appearances with far-right activist Loomer, known for her inflammatory rhetoric, have deeply unsettled allies and supporters of the former president’s campaign, notes the Washington Post.
“The track record of Loomer’s statements is deeply concerning,” said Senator Lindsey Graham in a recent interview. “I hope this issue gets resolved. I think we should be focusing on issues that matter to people, and this isn’t helping that cause,” she added.
The 31-year-old Loomer was by Trump’s side on Wednesday as he and his vice-presidential pick, Senator J.D. Vance, participated in events marking the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Just days ago, Loomer launched a racist attack against Trump’s opponent, Democratic presidential candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Indian-American descent.
Loomer posted: “If Harris wins, the White House will smell like curry.” In July, she also called Harris a “drug-using whore.”
Loomer has also supported conspiracy theories, such as the claim that the mass shootings at American schools in Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe, Texas, in 2018 were staged.
Yesterday, she reiterated that she stands by all her past statements. A former two-time congressional candidate, Loomer is known for her anti-Muslim rhetoric and has previously declared herself “proud” of her Islamophobic sentiments.
Loomer is a problem for Republicans
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump loyalist who has long been at odds with Loomer, told reporters yesterday that Loomer’s “hate speech” is a “huge problem” for the Republican Party.
Greene has publicly denounced Loomer, and last year there were reports that Trump considered hiring her for his campaign team, although he ultimately did not.
The Harris campaign did not respond to requests for comment regarding Loomer’s relationship with Trump. However, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “No leader should associate with individuals who spread this kind of ugliness and inject such racist poison.”
Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said during a Capitol Hill press conference that Loomer’s presence alongside Trump at the 9/11 memorial events should “shock all decent Americans.”
Loomer’s anti-Muslim rhetoric has led to her being banned from Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms, according to her own claims.
During the 2024 Republican primaries, she sought to undermine one of Trump’s intra-party rivals, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, repeatedly accusing him and his wife of using her breast cancer diagnosis to gain sympathy from voters.
She identifies herself as a journalist dedicated to Trump’s re-election. “I’m happy to spend all my time helping Trump because if he doesn’t get re-elected, I have nothing,” she told the Washington Post last March.
Loomer’s harsh attack on Kamala Harris for her Indian heritage, which many Republicans have condemned as “abhorrent,” has raised serious concerns within Trump’s team, particularly regarding the political impact it could have in Georgia, a “swing state” home to one of the largest Indian-American populations in the U.S.
