A recent comment by an American far-right activist who has been called out for spreading conspiracy theories and posting anti-Muslim propaganda has once again highlighted some of the controversial associates of Republican US President nominee Donald Trump.
Laura Loomer, a controversial figure who has sparked divisions even within the Republican camp, recently posted on X: "If @KamalaHarris wins, the White House will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call centre and the American people will only be able to convey their feedback through a customer satisfaction survey at the end of the call that nobody will understand.
The comment, unsurprisingly, was panned for being racist and derogatory, and attracted attention in India.
The comment by Laura Loomer, a Donald Trump ally, came after Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, posted a photo on X, sharing memories of visiting her grandparents in India and reflecting on her Indian heritage.
"As a young girl visiting my grandparents in India, my grandfather took me on his morning walks, where he would discuss the importance of fighting for equality and fighting corruption. He was a retired civil servant who had been part of the movement to win India's independence," Kamala Harris wrote on X.
Kamala Harris is an Indian-American politician. Her mother is from India and her father is from Jamaica.
Laura Loomer's racist attack targeted at Kamala Harris has brought the spotlight back on the Trump ally and highlighted how many even within the Republican camp are uncomfortable with her positions.
LAURA LOOMER - A DONALD TRUMP'S ALLY
Laura Loomer is a 31-year-old far-right American activist and influencer who has gained notoriety for her extreme views and anti-Muslim rhetoric.
She has been involved in politics for several years, running unsuccessfully for Congress twice – once in the 2020 general election for Florida's 21st congressional district and again in 2022 in the Republican primary for Florida's 11th congressional district, where she lost to incumbent Daniel Webster.
Loomer is closely connected to former President Donald Trump, having met him in 2017.
At the time, Loomer was known for her anti-Muslim statements and also for being a target of harassment by white nationalists due to her Jewish heritage.
Over the years, her relationship with Trump has strengthened, and she has reportedly traveled with him on his private plane and attended various events with him.
CNN has reported that she even has a direct line to him, being able to call him up on his personal phone number.
This access to Trump has raised concerns among some Republicans who question his decision to associate with someone known for spreading conspiracy theories and making racist comments.
Loomer is infamous for pushing the conspiracy theory that the 9/11 attacks were an inside job.
She has also made the claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating people's pets, a remark Trump repeated during the first presidential debate.
In April 2023, it was reported that Trump wanted to hire Loomer for a campaign role, but the idea was met with heavy resistance from his team.
Despite her close ties with Trump, her rhetoric has caused division even within the far-right MAGA movement.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent Trump supporter, denounced Loomer’s comments as too extreme and not representative of the MAGA movement or the Republican Party.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also criticised Loomer, calling her remarks “abhorrent” and suggesting that Trump distance himself from her.
Loomer’s history is marked by controversy. In addition to her inflammatory comments and conspiracy theories, she has been banned from several social media platforms, including Twitter, although she returned after Elon Musk's takeover of the platform.
Recently, she has targeted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, criticising him for running against Trump in the presidential primaries.
Loomer claims to have built a base of support among pro-Trump voters in Florida, which she refers to as “Boomers for Loomer".
Source: India Today