On September 11, Donald Trump attended a remembrance event in lower Manhattan alongside Laura Loomer, a far-right activist known for promoting conspiracy theories, including the false claim that the September 11 attacks were an “inside job.”
Trump, who was accompanied by his running mate Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, visited a fire station where firefighters who died during the attacks were honored. Loomer, a close ally of Trump, documented the day through social media posts and had been present at a recent presidential debate and on Trump’s plane.
Loomer has previously spread false narratives about 9/11, including a video she shared last year asserting that the attacks were orchestrated from within the U.S. government. Despite her history with conspiracy theories, she has not commented on whether her views have shifted. Loomer responded to media inquiries with a statement on X (formerly Twitter), where she emphasized her unwavering loyalty to Trump and declined to discuss her recent activities further.
The Trump campaign did not provide specifics on the decision to have Loomer accompany Trump or whether they were aware of her controversial views. Instead, they issued a statement focused on honoring the victims and heroes of 9/11, underscoring that the day was meant to pay tribute to those who suffered and served during the attacks, without delving into political considerations.
Loomer’s presence with Trump and her inflammatory remarks have sparked controversy among his supporters. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Loomer’s racist post targeting Vice President Kamala Harris, demanding that it be removed. Loomer’s original post, which made derogatory comments about Harris, was condemned by Greene as being offensive and not reflective of Republican or MAGA values.
Greene, despite her own history of making controversial statements, highlighted the problematic nature of Loomer’s comments. Loomer responded with attacks against Greene, refusing to retract her post. Both Loomer and Greene have faced criticism for their respective views, contributing to ongoing debates within the Republican party about the alignment and actions of its members.