RANCHO PALOS VERDES, USA — Former US President Donald Trump on Friday, September 13, 2024, refused to condemn recent racist and conspiratorial comments made by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who accompanied him earlier this week to the second presidential debate and several 9/11 memorial events.
During a press conference near Los Angeles, Trump was pressed on his continued association with Loomer, who has a history of promoting extremist views, including once describing herself as a “proud Islamophobe.”
Trump dismissed the concerns, saying, “Laura’s been a supporter of mine,” and adding that he was unaware of her recent remarks targeting Vice President Kamala Harris.
Loomer had posted a racist comment on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting the White House “will smell like curry” if Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, wins the presidency.
When asked about the post, Trump responded, “I don’t control Laura. Laura has to say what she wants. I can’t tell Laura what to do.”
Attempted Distancing on Social Media
Later in the day, Trump took to his Truth Social account to distance himself slightly from Loomer’s remarks.
“I disagree with the statements she made,” Trump wrote, referring to her as “a private citizen and longtime supporter” who “doesn’t work for the Campaign.”
Despite the criticism, Trump defended Loomer’s overall stance, stating that she, like many others, was “tired of watching the Radical Left Marxists and Fascists violently attack and smear me.”
Loomer’s association with Trump, however, has alarmed some within his party. Several high-profile Republican figures publicly expressed concern that her presence on the campaign trail could hurt Trump’s chances in his race against Harris.
The Democratic vice president has seen a surge in support following her debate performance earlier in the week, which many commentators have described as a turning point in the campaign.
Republican Backlash
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has previously spread conspiracies herself, condemned Loomer’s post about Harris as “appalling and extremely racist,” adding that it did not represent the ideals of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina went further, describing Loomer as a “crazy conspiracy theorist” who is undermining Trump’s re-election efforts.
“A Democratic Party plant couldn’t do a better job than she is doing to hurt President Trump’s chances of winning re-election,” Tillis said.
This is not the first time Trump’s association with extremists has caused controversy. In 2022, he faced backlash for dining with far-right activist Nick Fuentes and rapper Kanye West, both of whom have been known for spreading antisemitic and white nationalist views.
Far-Right Claims and Bomb Threats in Springfield
Trump has recently attracted further criticism for amplifying discredited claims during Tuesday’s debate, including a false allegation that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were hunting and eating pets.
These statements, which have circulated on social media, led to bomb threats against local officials and the evacuation of schools and government buildings in Springfield for a second consecutive day on Friday.
Despite the fallout, Trump doubled down on his comments during the Los Angeles press conference, dismissing concerns from local officials and shifting attention to his immigration policies.
“The real threat is what’s happening at our border,” Trump said, reiterating his plan for a large-scale deportation operation if re-elected.
Harris Focuses on Economy and Middle-Class Voters
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris continued her campaign on Friday with stops across Pennsylvania, a key battleground state.
Harris framed herself as a champion for middle-class workers and small-business owners, contrasting her personal background with Trump’s privileged upbringing.
“I come from the middle class. I understand where I come from and I’m never going to forget that,” she told supporters in Wilkes-Barre.
Harris also detailed her economic platform, which includes a $50,000 tax deduction for starting a small business, and her plan to collaborate with the private sector to build 3 million new homes to increase housing availability and reduce costs.
She highlighted her call to raise the child tax credit to $6,000 during a child’s first year of life, a policy she said would help 100 million Americans.
The vice president’s campaign reported raising $47 million from 600,000 donors in the 24 hours following her debate with Trump.
Her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and other surrogates are set to campaign in key battleground states over the next few days, including Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona.
Trump, following his appearance in Rancho Palos Verdes, is expected to attend a fundraiser in the Bay Area before heading to Las Vegas, where he will continue promoting his proposal to end federal taxes on workers’ tips and a new plan to eliminate taxes on overtime pay.
