Republicans are calling on former President Trump to sever ties with Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur known for promoting a 9/11 conspiracy theory and making racist remarks about Vice President Harris.
According to Brett Samuels from The Hill, Loomer does not hold an official position in Trump’s campaign. However, she traveled with Trump on his plane to a debate in Philadelphia and was part of his entourage during 9/11 memorial events. GOP Senator Thom Tillis (N.C.) criticized her on X, stating:
“Laura Loomer is a crazy conspiracy theorist who regularly utters disgusting garbage intended to divide Republicans. A DNC plant couldn’t do a better job than she is doing to hurt President Trump’s chances of winning re-election. Enough.”
Loomer recently faced backlash for a tweet mocking Harris’s Indian heritage, drawing criticism from conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and condemnation from the White House. Greene stated that Loomer “does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA” and emphasized that “[t]his type of behavior should not be tolerated ever.”
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) described Loomer’s comments about Harris as “abhorrent” and noted her “disturbing” remarks about Republicans. He advised Trump to prevent this issue from escalating, telling The Huffington Post:
“I think that the president [Trump] would serve himself well to make sure this doesn’t become a bigger story.”
At a press conference in Rancho Palos Verde, Calif., Trump claimed he was unaware of Loomer’s remarks about Harris and downplayed their association:
“Laura’s been a supporter of mine. She speaks positively of the campaign. Laura is a supporter. I don’t control Laura. She’s a free spirit,” he said.
Loomer has also spread false claims about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, which Trump repeated during the debate. Local Republicans and officials have refuted these allegations. Additionally, two schools in Springfield were evacuated due to a bomb threat, and City Hall was closed following threats to multiple facilities.
Loomer’s association overshadowed Trump’s visit to California, where he criticized Democratic policies for causing negative outcomes in the state:
“California has the highest inflation, the highest taxes, the highest gas prices, the most illegal aliens, the most regulations, the most expensive utilities and ranks as the third worst state to start a business. It also has the most people leaving it.”
Meanwhile, Republicans are questioning whether Trump will participate in future debates, as they believe his recent performance may have shifted the race in Harris’s favor. During his press conference, Trump criticized the ABC News moderators, particularly anchor David Muir, calling him a “foolish fool.”
Trump’s allies in Congress hope he will reconsider, believing another debate could help regain momentum. The Hill’s Alexander Bolton quoted Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.):
“I don’t think they got enough into the substance of their differences, and I think elections are always about differences. The contrast this time around couldn’t be more clear in terms of their records, their positions, their vision for the future. Litigating that in a debate setting would be really important, and I don’t think they got enough of that done [Tuesday] night.”