Trump's environment is becoming more right-wing radical: proximity to activist Loomer causes unrest before the US election

FR Trump's environment is becoming more right-wing radical: proximity to activist Loomer causes unrest before the US election Article by Jekaterina Jalunina • 11 hours • 2 minutes reading time Before the US election In the US election campaign, the right-wing extremist activist Laura Loomer is making her way into Donald Trump's circle of advisors. Even many Republicans consider her to be too radical. Washington, D.C. - The proximity of a right-wing activist to US presidential candidate Donald Trump is making headlines and even going too far for some of the Republican's party colleagues. In recent days, the influencer Laura Loomer, who has made a name for herself on social media with racist comments and the spread of conspiracy theories, has appeared noticeably often in the ex-president's environment. The 31-year-old was, among other things, part of the entourage that accompanied Trump to the TV duel against Democrat Kamala Harris in Philadelphia. Shortly before the debate, Loomer had written on the X platform, alluding to Kamala Harris' Indian ancestry, that if the Democrat won the presidential election in November, "the White House would smell of curry" and speeches in government headquarters would be "handled through a call center." US election: Loomer's conspiracy theories could damage Trump's election campaign Elsewhere on X, Loomer wrote that migrants from Haiti don't just eat cats and dogs. "They eat people." In other posts, for example, she suggested that high-ranking US officials were involved in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and that Democratic President Joe Biden was behind the assassination attempt on Trump. Several Republicans expressed concerns that Loomer's extreme positions could damage Trump in the election campaign. Interestingly, one of them is congresswoman and ardent Trump loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is herself known for harsh rhetoric, radical attitudes and a penchant for conspiracy theories. Greene spoke of Loomer's "vicious, racist and divisive rhetoric". Her lies, instability and toxic mentality have no place in the political movement around Trump - especially not in an election as important as the one in November. The prominent Republican senator and Trump supporter Lindsey Graham also spoke critically about Loomer and appealed to the ex-president to distance himself from her. "I think the president would do well to ensure that this does not become a bigger story," Graham told the Huffington Post. "I don't think that's helpful." What Loomer has spread about Harris and the White House is "disgusting". Trump half-heartedly distances himself from Loomer's conspiracy theories ahead of the US election Trump was asked about Loomer's statements and conspiracy theories at a press conference, but appeared ignorant. "I don't know much about it," replied the 78-year-old. She is a supporter and a "free spirit". Loomer has strong opinions. "I don't know what she said, but that's not my business," he said. "I can't tell Laura what to do." When asked about her accompanying him on board his plane, Trump replied that many people do that. "It's a big plane." (dpa/jal)