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MAGA YouTuber, 'Ukraine is Nazi,' reflects on past remarks; Trump praises visit

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • MAGA influencer Laura Loomer visited Ukraine and expressed remorse for past anti-Ukraine remarks.
  • Loomer stated she experienced a Ukrainian air raid siren, realizing the daily suffering of Ukrainians.
  • Former President Trump praised Loomer's visit and meeting with President Zelenskyy, sharing a video on social media.

Laura Loomer, a prominent MAGA-aligned influencer known for her past anti-Ukraine rhetoric, has visited Kyiv and expressed regret for her previous statements. Loomer, who has 2 million followers on X, shared her experience of hearing an air raid siren for the first time, stating it made her feel like "trash" for downplaying the suffering of Ukrainians over the past five years.

I just experienced my first Ukrainian air raid siren. The sirens are going off and this is the daily reality for all Ukrainians.

โ€” Laura LoomerDescribing her experience hearing an air raid siren in Kyiv.

Loomer, who previously called Ukraine a "Nazi-infested country" and President Zelenskyy a "jihadist defender," reversed her stance after visiting Ukraine. She documented her journey into the country via train, noting the significant travel time caused by Russian attacks on airspace. Loomer stated her intention to show millions of Trump supporters and Americans "how brutal Russia is."

I feel like trash for the past five years for downplaying their suffering. I often said I didn't care. Looking back, it wasn't very kind of me to say.

โ€” Laura LoomerExpressing remorse for her past statements about Ukraine's suffering.

Following her visit, Loomer engaged in a public exchange with Russian state media, which had criticized her for changing her position. She asserted that she was not deleting her past posts because she realized she was wrong and had been influenced by Russian state media propaganda. Loomer clarified that she now understands Ukraine and Zelenskyy are not defenders of jihadists, but rather Russia and Putin are.

Great job!!!

โ€” Donald TrumpPraising Laura Loomer's visit to Ukraine and meeting with President Zelenskyy.

Former US President Donald Trump publicly supported Loomer's visit, sharing a video of her meeting with President Zelenskyy on his Truth Social platform with the caption "Great job!!!" Loomer also visited a McDonald's in Kyiv damaged by Russian shelling, ordering food in a show of support. She has been vocal in criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly for recent attacks on churches, stating Putin has no right to claim he is protecting Christianity while attacking religious sites with drones.

I realized that I was wrong and I am not going to delete those posts. I was fooled by social media and Russian state media into believing them.

โ€” Laura LoomerExplaining her change of heart regarding Russia and Ukraine.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.