Who is Laura Loomer? Far-right conspiracy theorist accused of fuelling Trump's 'pet-eating' claims

Laura Loomer, a far-right provocateur and conspiracy theorist, has become a controversial figure in American politics, particularly for her close association with former United States President Donald Trump.

Recently, Loomer’s influence has drawn widespread attention as Republicans blame her for Trump’s bizarre claim during the recent US presidential debate that Haitian immigrants were “eating pets.”

Loomer, who has been banned from multiple social media platforms for inflammatory and conspiratorial content, has remained a prominent figure in far-right circles, deeply embedded in Trump’s inner circle.

But who exactly is Laura Loomer, and how did she gain such influence?

Who is Laura Loomer?

Laura Loomer, 31, first gained public attention through her far-right activism, most notably her controversial views on Islam and her peddling of conspiracy theories. A former congressional candidate from Florida, Loomer is infamous for her incendiary statements and divisive rhetoric.

In 2020, Loomer ran for US Congress in Florida’s 21st district, winning the Republican primary but ultimately losing the general election to Democrat Lois Frankel. She ran again in 2022, also unsuccessfully.

Loomer’s extremist views have made her a polarising figure in the political landscape. She has repeatedly posted anti-Islam and anti-immigrant content, including a notorious 2018 tweet in which she called herself a “proud Islamophobe” and suggested the creation of a ride-sharing service that excludes Muslims.

Her rhetoric has led to her being banned from social media platforms such as Twitter (now X), Facebook, and Instagram. However, she regained access to X after Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform.

Among Loomer’s most widely criticised claims is her assertion that the 9/11 attacks were an “inside job” orchestrated by the US government. She has repeatedly pushed this theory on social media, despite overwhelming evidence debunking it.

In one instance, Loomer falsely linked the 9/11 attacks to remarks made by then-US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld about $2.3 trillion in “lost” government funds, despite Rumsfeld’s statements referring to outdated accounting systems rather than a conspiracy.

This misinformation feeds into a broader 9/11 “truther” movement that claims the US government was somehow complicit in or responsible for the attacks.

How close is Loomer to Trump?

Despite her divisive reputation, Loomer has managed to embed herself in Trump’s political circle. She has long been a fervent supporter of Trump, especially during his presidency and subsequent campaigns. Loomer has frequently appeared at Trump’s public events, and her presence alongside the former US president has raised eyebrows, particularly given her controversial statements.

Loomer accompanied Trump during a visit to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York and Pennsylvania, sparking outrage given her history of promoting 9/11 conspiracy theories.

Posting on X, she shared photos of Trump meeting firefighters at Ground Zero and a video of him speaking with first responders, claiming that they were “thrilled” to see the former US president.

She also travelled with Trump to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the site where United Flight 93 crashed after passengers fought back against the 9/11 hijackers. Loomer shared a post commemorating the event, writing, “NEVER FORGET!” and asserting that she was invited as a guest rather than as part of Trump’s campaign team.

However, her proximity to Trump has raised concerns among Republicans and political strategists. Trump has a history of amplifying voices associated with conspiracy theories, such as the QAnon movement, which claims that Trump is fighting a “deep state” cabal.

Loomer’s anti-immigrant and anti-Islam rhetoric fits squarely within this sphere of influence, and some in Trump’s inner circle worry that she is exacerbating his tendency to peddle baseless claims.

Was Loomer involved in Trump’s “pet-eating” claims?

The most recent controversy surrounding Loomer erupted after Trump repeated an unfounded claim during the US presidential debate that Haitian immigrants were “eating pets” in Ohio.

Trump’s statement, “They’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats,” drew widespread ridicule and was immediately debunked by authorities. Trump doubled down when questioned, claiming he had seen the story on television, despite no credible news outlet corroborating the rumour.

The conspiracy theory had been circulating in right-wing online spaces, and Loomer was identified as a key figure in promoting the baseless claim. She reportedly amplified the rumour on social media, and her proximity to Trump during the debate raised concerns among Republicans that her influence may have contributed to Trump’s erratic performance.

A source close to the Trump campaign told US news outlet Semafor that Loomer’s sway over the former US president was a “100%” concern. Despite attempts by Trump’s campaign staff to keep Loomer at arm’s length, her presence remains prominent in Trump’s orbit.

The pet-eating claim wasn’t the only bizarre statement Trump made during the debate. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, also promoted the false story before admitting it may not have been accurate. Yet Trump stood by his comments, leading to further scrutiny of the figures influencing him, including Loomer.

Are Republicans okay with Loomer taking the spotlight?

Loomer’s influence has not been without controversy within Trump’s broader circle of allies. Far-right Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, herself a figure known for promoting conspiracy theories, publicly criticised Loomer for a racist post she made about US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Loomer had tweeted that if Harris were elected, “the White House will smell like curry” and that speeches would be “facilitated via a call centre." Greene responded by calling the post “appalling and extremely racist,” stating that it did not represent the values of the Republican Party or the MAGA movement. Loomer dismissed the backlash, accusing the media of falsely labelling her as a racist. Loomer’s post has now been deleted.

Loomer’s influence on Trump has caused concern among many Republicans who feel that her controversial behavior detracts from their political goals. Conservative commentator Steve Deace told CNN that Loomer “offers absolutely nothing to Donald Trump other than a lot of collateral damage on social media that provokes people to not want to vote for him.”

Similarly, speaking to Semafor, Republican strategist Dennis Lennox blamed Trump’s poor debate performance on his reliance on far-right figures like Loomer, noting that Trump “lost the debate because of his performance, or lack thereof.”

What next?

Despite widespread criticism, Trump appears to remain loyal to Loomer. She has accompanied him on multiple trips, including a notable journey on his private plane, “Trump Force One,” during which she was seen deboarding alongside key aides and advisors.

Loomer claims to have Trump’s personal phone number and has reportedly used it to maintain direct contact with the former president. While Trump’s advisors have resisted bringing Loomer into the campaign in an official capacity, her continued presence suggests that she remains a trusted figure in Trump’s inner circle.

As Trump continues his bid for re-election, Loomer’s presence raises questions about the role of far-right provocateurs in shaping his political messaging. Her controversial past, including her promotion of conspiracy theories and racist remarks, has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, yet she persists as a semi-regular figure in Trump’s orbit.

Whether her presence will continue to shape Trump’s campaign remains to be seen, but for now, Loomer’s sway is undeniable.

With inputs from agencies