Laura Loomer: I Was 'Bamboozled' by Russian Propaganda
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- Laura Loomer traveled to Ukraine and reversed her longtime criticism of the country, telling AP she was 'bamboozled by Russian propaganda' and previously believed Ukraine was 'full of Nazis' — a shift she attributes to time on Telegram after being banned from U.S. social media platforms
- Loomer sat down with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for her Rumble show, met with top Ukrainian officials and the country's chief rabbi, and said she expects to meet with Trump after returning, insisting Ukraine did not finance the trip
- Zelenskyy's office welcomed Loomer on social media, writing that 'it takes courage to come to Ukraine and not be deterred by Russian propaganda or air raid sirens,' and Deputy Prime Minister Tetyana Berezhna told AP she hoped Loomer's visit would have 'a huge impact on relations with the U.S. administration'
- Trump shared video of Loomer's conversation with Zelenskyy on social media, writing 'Very good!!!' on Thursday evening, signaling continued alignment with his influential but unofficial ally
- Loomer framed the 'information war' as a 'major national security threat,' telling AP that podcasters like Tucker Carlson have 'warped people's minds' by amplifying Russian sources, and called on the Trump administration to take Russian propaganda and influence operations more seriously
- Despite her Ukraine reversal, Loomer's broader record of conspiracy theories and bigoted views remains intact — she previously amplified a 9/11 'inside job' video and the lie about Haitian immigrants eating pets, and on Saturday posted: 'One thing I really love about Ukraine is I haven't seen a single Muslim here'
Why it matters: Loomer remains influential with Trump despite holding no official role — she helped trigger last year's National Security Council staff purge — and her reversal reframes the Ukraine debate inside the MAGA movement just as Trump and Zelenskyy prepare to meet Tuesday in Washington while Congress debates new Russia sanctions.
