Former President Donald Trump has distanced himself from far-right influencer Laura Loomer, claiming that she is merely a “supporter” of his campaign to return to the White House. The move comes as an increasing number of Republicans publicly warn against her increased visibility and how it may be damaging the 45th president’s standing with voters.
During a news conference in Southern California, Trump told reporters that he does not control Loomer and cannot tell her what to do. Despite this, Loomer was part of Trump’s entourage when he traveled to Philadelphia for his debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. The following day, she accompanied the president and Sen. JD Vance to a Lower Manhattan firehouse to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
In recent posts on X, Loomer has suggested that the US government is hiding information about the 9/11 attacks and called for the release of classified documents related to the incident. Some Republicans have criticized Trump’s campaign for allowing her close proximity, particularly after she posted a racist message mocking Harris’ half-Indian background on social media over the weekend.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) called Loomer “a crazy conspiracy theorist who regularly utters disgusting garbage intended to divide Republicans,” while former RNC spokesperson Madison Gesiotto Gilbert added that Loomer is “a toxic, embarrassment to our party and our movement.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also weighed in, stating that “Laura Loomer’s nasty, racists, and divisive rhetoric should not be tolerated.
Loomer denied having any official role within Trump’s campaign, saying her sole focus is to help him get elected. She attributed the criticism from Republicans as jealousy over their lack of proximity to Trump during his travels.
