The presence of Laura Loomer, a hard-right conspiracy theorist, alongside former President Donald Trump on the campaign trail has sparked questions and concerns among Republicans and the media. Loomer’s controversial history and recent activities have raised eyebrows, especially given her proximity to Trump.
Who is Laura Loomer?
Laura Loomer, a 31-year-old known for her anti-Muslim rhetoric and conspiracy theories, has been seen traveling with Trump in recent days. Loomer is infamous for claims such as the 9/11 attacks being an “inside job” orchestrated by the U.S. government.
Controversial appearances
Loomer joined Trump at an event commemorating the 9/11 attacks, which led to outrage in some media outlets. She also accompanied Trump to Philadelphia for a presidential debate. During the debate, Trump repeated a baseless claim that illegal immigrants from Haiti were eating domestic pets in Ohio, a theory Loomer had propagated just a day before.
City officials later clarified that there were “no credible reports” supporting Trump’s claim. Loomer had shared this theory with her 1.2 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, just a day before the debate.
Loomer’s influence
While it remains unclear how much access Loomer has to Trump, her presence has led some Republicans to blame her for Trump’s unfounded claims. An anonymous source close to the Trump campaign expressed concern to US news outlet Semafor, stating they were “100%” worried about her influence. “Regardless of any guardrails the Trump campaign has put on her, I don’t think it’s working,” the source said.
Conversely, another source told Semafor that Loomer did not interfere with debate preparations and described her as a “positive person to be around.” Republican consultant Dennis Lennox criticized Trump’s debate performance, attributing it to reliance on figures like Loomer.
Loomer did not respond to BBC’s requests for comment but stated on X that she operates “independently” to support Trump, whom she termed “truly our nation’s last hope.” She dismissed media inquiries, claiming she was too busy with her investigations.
Background and career
Born in Arizona in 1993, Loomer has worked as an activist and commentator for organizations like Project Veritas and Infowars. In 2020, she ran as a Republican candidate for the US House of Representatives in Florida but lost to Democrat Lois Frankel. She attempted another run two years later but was unsuccessful.
Loomer is known for her vocal support of Trump and has been banned from several platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, for offensive comments. She has attended numerous Trump events and was even mentioned by him on stage in Iowa earlier this year.
Internal tensions
Trump’s potential interest in hiring Loomer for his campaign has reportedly caused concern among his aides. Some believe she could harm his electoral efforts, as reported by NBC News in January.
Recently, Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Loomer for her racist comments about Vice President Kamala Harris, leading to a public feud. Greene condemned Loomer’s remarks, stating they did “not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA.”
Laura Loomer’s presence and influence within Trump’s orbit continue to spark debate and controversy. As she travels with Trump and promotes her theories, questions about her impact on his campaign and Republican politics remain unresolved.