Trump makes lukewarm attempt to dissociate from Laura Loomer amid GOP backlash
Former President Donald Trump is now attempting to distance himself from far-right activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, after attending a 9/11 event with her earlier this week — and after receiving backlash even from his most loyal allies.
“Laura Loomer doesn’t work for the Campaign. She’s a private citizen and longtime supporter,” Trump wrote in a Friday social media post. "I disagree with the statements she made but, like the many millions of people who support me, she is tired of watching the Radical Left Marxists and Fascists violently attack and smear me, even to the point of doing anything to stop their Political Opponent, ME"
Even far-right US Rep. Marjorie Greene Taylor (GA) slammed Loomer for an overtly racist social media post this week, and the Georgia lawmaker, and US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — both staunch MAGA allies — have both encouraged Trump "to distance himself from her — fearing that Loomer's extremism could harm Trump's presidential campaign."
READ MORE: Laura Loomer’s 'appalling' extremism is exposing 'internal tensions' in Trump World
Another Republican lawmaker, Rep. Thom Tillis (NC), blasted Loomer as a "crazy conspiracy theorist who regularly utters disgusting garbage intended to divide Republicans." He added, "A [Democratic National Committee] plant couldn't do a better job than she is doing to hurt President Trump's chances of winning re-election. Enough."
Ex-RNC Chair Michael Steele took a dig at the North Carolina congressman, saying, “Where was Tillis when Trump told the Proud Boys to stand back and stand by? Where was he when Donald Trump said there are fine people on both sides — and yes he did say it. And where were any of these folks as this cavalcade of crazy moved closer and closer around Trump?"
In a Saturday, September 14 report, MSNBC's Clariss-Jan Lim noted that Trump's "affinity for Loomer is not new. He endorsed her in 2020 during the first of two failed runs for Congress. He has called her a 'terrific' personand talked glowingly of her support for him. And The New York Times reported last year that Trump wanted to hire Loomer for a role in his campaign."
Lim also noted that Loomer has called herself a 'proud Islamophobe,' cheered the death of thousands of migrants, said 9/11 was an 'inside job,' spread conspiracy theories about mass shootings and, more recently, posted a racist attackagainst Vice President Kamala Harris."
READ MORE: Ex-RNC head rages against MAGA Republicans for suddenly changing tune over Trump’s friend Loomer
Lim's full report is available here.
