When Donald Trump was asked about the concerns voiced by his Republican colleagues regarding his recent associations with far-right activist Laura Loomer, the former president stumbled to provide a concrete answer, instead calling her a “supporter” five times.
The question comes after Loomer, notorious for pushing outrageous conspiracy theories and racist rhetoric, joined Trump on his plane to Philadelphia ahead of his debate against Kamala Harris on Tuesday. She also attended the 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York — despite previously claiming that the terror attacks were an “inside job.” Their recent associations have prompted a few notable Trump allies to warn that he should distance himself from such a polarizing figure, especially as the election nears.
“Well I don’t know what they would say. Laura’s been a supporter. Just like a lot of people are supporters. She speaks very positively of the campaign,” Trump said during a news conference at his Los Angeles golf resort on Friday evening. “I can’t tell Laura what to do. She’s a free spirit.”
By frequently describing her as a “supporter,” Trump seemed to be putting a distance between the campaign and Loomer.
The reporter pushed, saying: “Laura Loomer is traveling with you on your plane…. She made racist remarks about your opponent. She has also espoused 9/11 conspiracies. Do you disavow those remarks?”
“I have to see what those remarks are,” Trump defended. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. She may have said something based on what you’re telling me.
“I‘ll go take a look and I’ll put out a statement later on.”
Since Loomer’s recent appearances alongside the former president, Trump ally Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is also a far-right conspiracy theorist and who once endorsed Loomer when she ran for Congress in 2020, condemned a recent racist tweet from Loomer.
Loomer offensively claimed that if Harris, whose mother was from India, wins in November, “the White House will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center.”
“This is appalling and extremely racist. It does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA,” the Georgia Republican wrote. “This does not represent President Trump. This type of behavior should not be tolerated ever.”
Greene echoed her stance on Thursday, telling CNN that she believes Trump should separate himself from Loomer: “I don’t think that she has the experience or the right mentality to advise a very important presidential election.”
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham ventured to call Loomer “toxic” and said that for once he agreed with Greene.
“We have policy disagreements but the history of this person is just really toxic,” Graham told HuffPost on Thursday. “I mean, she actually called for Kellyanne Conway’s daughter to hang herself. I don’t know how this all happened, but, no, I don’t think it’s helpful. I don’t think it’s helpful at all.”
Graham added: “Marjorie Taylor Greene is right. I don’t say that a lot.”
On Friday, Loomer took to X to slam Greene and Graham in personal attacks, before coming to the conclusion that the two Congress members were “simply jealous that they were not on the plane with President Trump.”
She added: “There is only one thing I care about: Getting Donald Trump elected. Donald Trump is my number 1 priority.”