Who is Laura Loomer? The far-right extremist on Trump’s trail

Loomer first drew attention when she joined Trump at an event commemorating the 9/11 attacks, leading to concerns about her influence on the former president.

Loomer has spread the baseless theory that the 9/11 attacks were an “inside job” orchestrated by the US government. Adding fuel to the fire, she also travelled with Trump on his plane to the presidential debate in Philadelphia, according to a report by BBC. 

A particularly controversial moment came during the debate when Trump repeated a baseless claim that illegal immigrants from Haiti were eating pets in a small Ohio town. This theory, which was aired by Loomer just the day before, was debunked by local officials, but its repetition by Trump on such a large stage raised concerns.

Some within the Republican Party were quick to point fingers at Loomer, accusing her of being behind Trump’s endorsement of this falsehood.

Loomer’s influence on Trump has alarmed some of his allies. Speaking to NBC News, one Trump ally expressed concern, saying they were “100%” worried about Loomer’s proximity to the former president, adding that the campaign’s efforts to manage her influence were “not working.”

Several senior Republicans have publicly criticised Loomer’s presence in Trump’s orbit. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis took to social media, calling Loomer a “crazy conspiracy theorist” and warning that her divisive rhetoric is detrimental to Trump’s chances in the 2024 election.

He further commented, “A DNC [Democratic National Committee] plant couldn’t do a better job than she is doing to hurt President Trump’s chances.”

Despite these concerns, Trump has remained vague about his relationship with Loomer. At a press conference in California, Trump described her as “a supporter,” adding, “I don’t control Laura. Laura has to say what she wants. She’s a free spirit.”

Who is Laura Loomer?

Born in Arizona in 1993, Loomer has long been a provocateur in right-wing circles. She has worked for organisations such as Project Veritas and Infowars and gained notoriety for her failed congressional bids in Florida, where she ran as a Trump-endorsed candidate in 2020 and again in 2022.

Her outspoken support of Trump and her willingness to promote debunked and inflammatory conspiracy theories have earned her a sizable following on social media, although she has been banned from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

Her influence in Trump’s campaign has become a point of contention among his allies, with some fearing that her controversial presence could cost him votes in key battleground states such as Georgia and North Carolina, where large Indian American and Hindu populations reside.

Loomer recently posted a racist tweet about Vice President Kamala Harris, which drew condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans alike.

The American Hindu Coalition, a non-partisan advocacy group, expressed its disappointment with Loomer’s rhetoric, cautioning that her divisive statements could harm Trump’s chances in the 2024 election.

Loomer, however, has been unapologetic, dismissing critics on social media as “obsessive” and claiming to work independently to support Trump, whom she calls “our nation’s last hope.”

Despite mounting concerns, Trump has distanced himself from Loomer. During his press tour, he addressed the issue, saying, “I don’t know that much about it,” when asked about Loomer’s conspiracy theories.

With Trump already facing scrutiny over his campaign strategy, many Republican insiders are concerned that his association with Loomer may alienate critical voter bases in states where every percentage point will count.