Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) pulled no punches on Thursday in criticizing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer and her close relationship with Donald Trump – who keeps her as part of his inner circle.
Graham told HuffPost’s Igor Bobic, “Marjorie Taylor Greene is right. I don’t say that a lot. We have policy disagreements, but the history of this person is just really toxic…I don’t think it’s helpful at all.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), whose bombastic and conspiratorial rhetoric has long been the source of controversy, condemned Loomer this week over a racist tweet in which Loomer wrote that “If Kamala Harris wins, the White House will smell like curry.”
“I think what she said about Kamala Harris and the White House is abhorrent, but it’s deeper than that. I mean, you know, some of the things she’s said about Republicans and others is disturbing,” Graham added, concluding:
I think that the president would serve himself well to make sure this doesn’t become a bigger story.
Bobic added of his conversation with Graham, “Graham also noted Loomer “actually called for Kellyanne Conway’s daughter to hang herself.” Meanwhile, Trump [is] hosting her on his plane & the NRSC is sharing her clips online.”
Loomer was photographed leaving Trump’s plane ahead of Tuesday’s debate and traveled with Trump on September 11th as he attended memorial ceremonies for the victims of the terror attacks, which Loomer has cast doubt on and suggested were a false flag.
The AP reached out to Loomer for comment on her past 9/11 conspiracy theories and she replied noting that she is not part of the Trump campaign. “Loomer said in a text message to The Associated Press that she doesn’t work for the Trump campaign and that she was “invited as a guest.” She did not respond to questions about her past statements about 9/11,” wrote the AP.
Loomer has long been a highly controversial figure on the far-right and has pushed conspiracy theories denying everything from school shootings to suggesting Nikki Haley controlled the weather ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
Trump praised Loomer during his Iowa caucus victory speech in January, calling her “a very important person” and “fantastic.” Trump met with Loomer at his Bedminster country club last summer and praised the work she does on his behalf and reportedly even tried to hire her for his campaign. Loomer failed twice, even with Trump’s endorsement, as a candidate for Congress in Trump’s Palm Beach district and then a north central Florida district, and is close friends with MAGA influencers like Roger Stone.
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