By Evelyn Lucado
Elm Staff Writer
Known political conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer accompanied former President Donald Trump in New York to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001 terroist attacks, causing many of his supporters to panic.
On her webiste Laura Loomer presents herself as a leading activist for free speech and a top-notch investigative journalist, fighting off the far left and “Big Tech.” However, many critics of right-wing extremism would describe Loomer differently.
Loomer is infamous for her baseless conspiracy theories, racially charged remarks, and blatant spread of misinformation.
“I recently traveled to The Darien Gap in Panama where I uncovered and documented the Deep State and Globalist’s plans to take over America’s sovereignty…to smuggle invaders into America with the intent of hijacking the 2024 election and destroying America,” Loomer said on X in reference to her upcoming documentary.
Loomer is also known for a video posted to X last year claiming 9/11 was an inside job. While Loomer has denied ever posting such a video, a more recent X post of her’s said, “The 9/11 documents are still classified to this day. The American people deserve to know the entire truth. Not just what our lying government chose to tell us.”
Her inflammatory statements have caused outrage on both sides of the political spectrum, with many stating the addition of Loomer to Trump’s campiagn team is detrimental to his public image and political strategy.
According to NBC News, several of Trump’s allies have anonymously voiced their concerns in the wake of Loomer’s recent racially aggravated post attacking Vice President Harris, in which Loomer said that “[the] White House will smell like curry [and] White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center.”
Notable Trump supporters and members of the Republican party, such as House Representative Marjorie Taylor Green, have come forward to denounce Loomer. “This is appalling and extremely racist. It does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA,” Green said on X.
Trump has gone on record to say that Loomer is not an employed member of his campaign. Yet, her presence at Trump’s side has sparked confusion among his staunchest supporters. Given Loomer’s actions there comes a question: Is it really a shock that Trump would associate himself with Loomer?
The Republican presidential nominee has a long, controversial history of pushing baseless conspiracies and racially charged remarks.
According to ABC, Trump recently stated during a debate that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, “[are] eating the dogs. They’re eating…the pets of the people that live there.”
The claims of Haitian immigrants killing domestic pets were found to be untrue and unsubstantiated by ABC officials.
In an interview with CNN, Trump’s running mate JD Vance went on record to say that they were not opposed to “creating stories” to garner the attention of the American media in reference to the claims.
Trump’s allies have been quick to denounce Loomer, yet they look the other way when Trump behaves in the same manner.
Regardless of political opinion, making such inflammatory and violent statements serves the purpose of creating an “other.” Claiming that Haitian immigrants are eating domestic pets serves to provide a scapegoat, giving angry and divided Americans something to direct their anger toward. Both Loomer and Trump are perpetuating this narrative.
While Trump’s allies have every right to denounce Loomer for her racist and problematic statements, it is illuminating to see their silence or even encouragement in the wake of similar statements made by Trump.
Loomer’s presence on Trump’s campaign trail is detrimental because her actions mimic his own. She brazenly embodies the angry and provocative rhetoric that Trump himself pushes, forcing his supporters to acknowledge that this rhetoric is dangerous and distasteful.
As election day approaches and the turmoil in America grows stronger, it is important to remain critical, not only of characters such as Loomer, but also of those in power exhibiting the same inflammatory behavior.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Photo Caption: Laura Loomer has emerged as the new face of Trump’s presidential campaign.