By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
The right-wing extremist is exerting her influence on Donald Trump and the MAGA base.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer, a former Florida Republican congressional candidate, long known for conspiracy theories and incendiary rhetoric, is now reportedly exerting direct influence over personnel decisions inside President Donald Trump’s White House, sparking renewed alarm across political and national security circles.
According to ABC News, Loomer met with Trump in the Oval Office earlier this week, presenting him with a list of officials she viewed as “disloyal.” Days later, National Security Agency Director Gen. Timothy Haugh and his deputy, Wendy Noble, were fired. Loomer took credit on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling the pair “deep state traitors” and celebrating what she described as “the beginning of the purge.”
While downplaying Loomer’s role, Trump acknowledged she had “made some recommendations,” adding, “I listen to everybody.” Critics have pointed to the episode as evidence of the growing sway fringe figures hold in the administration.
Loomer, who has called herself a “proud Islamophobe,” was previously kept at arm’s length by Trump’s aides during the 2024 campaign, with concerns she might “exacerbate [his] weaknesses,” The Atlantic reports. But Trump’s personal admiration for the 31-year-old provocateur appears to have overridden those objections.
This latest development comes after months of increasing visibility for Loomer, who has traveled with Trump on the campaign trail and accompanied him to 9/11 memorial events—despite having claimed the attacks were orchestrated by the U.S. government. Loomer’s rise and actions have prompted concern across the political spectrum, and even prominent Republicans, like Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have distanced themselves from her.
Loomer first gained national attention for her involvement in the “alt-right” movement and her frequent targeting of minority groups. One of her most controversial moments came when she called for a ridesharing service that would ban Muslim drivers, following her anti-Islam rants.
In 2017, after a terrorist attack in New York City, Loomer launched into a daylong anti-Islam rant on Twitter, blaming Muslims for the violence and calling for a ridesharing service that would ban Muslim drivers. “Someone needs to create a non-Islamic form of Uber or Lyft because I never want to support another Islamic immigrant driver,” she tweeted, tagging both companies, NBC News reported. The swift backlash led Uber and Lyft to ban her from their platforms permanently.
Her social media posts have frequently ventured into outright conspiracy theories. Loomer has claimed that the 9/11 attacks were an “inside job,” a baseless accusation that adds to the host of fringe beliefs she has propagated. This theory, which suggests U.S. officials were somehow complicit in the attacks, has been debunked but remains a rallying cry among certain factions of the far right.
Loomer also made headlines during her two failed 2020 and 2022 congressional bids in Florida, where she ran on an unabashedly pro-Trump platform. Despite receiving an endorsement from Trump, her campaigns failed to gain traction, as even many Republicans were uncomfortable with her extremism.
Loomer’s rhetoric has been so incendiary that even Greene, a figure known for her controversial statements, has publicly condemned her. In April 2023, when Trump reportedly considered hiring Loomer for his 2024 campaign, Greene took to social media to express her opposition. Describing Loomer as “mentally unstable” and “poisonous,” Greene urged Trump to distance himself from the controversial activist.
Their feud escalated when Loomer posted a racist comment targeting then-Vice President Kamala Harris, referencing Harris’s Indian heritage in a derogatory way. She claimed that if Harris were elected president, “the White House will smell like curry,” and speeches would be delivered “via a call center.”
Greene, who has herself been accused of promoting racist and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, responded by calling Loomer’s remarks “appalling and extremely racist,” adding that Loomer “does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA.”
Greene’s condemnation marked a rare moment when a prominent figure within the MAGA movement publicly distanced themselves from someone for being too extreme. Greene’s record includes statements downplaying the significance of the Holocaust and spreading conspiracy theories about “Jewish space lasers.”
Despite her controversies, Loomer’s relationship with Trump has only grown stronger. She was spotted traveling with the then-former president on multiple occasions, including during his 2024 campaign appearances. Loomer was also aboard Trump’s plane for the September 10 debate against Harris, and the following day, she accompanied Trump to 9/11 memorial events in New York and Pennsylvania.
Trump’s decision to keep Loomer in his orbit despite her controversial history has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the New York Democrat, condemned Trump’s association with Loomer, calling it “shocking, irresponsible, and offensive,” particularly in light of her history of promoting 9/11 conspiracy theories.
While some Republicans have also voiced concern about Loomer’s influence, many within Trump’s base view her as a loyal supporter willing to speak truths, while others won’t.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes