Laura Loomer’s Ukraine Pivot: After being bamboozled by Russian Propaganda
Qwenews.com – After being bamboozled by Russian propaganda, Laura Loomer has dramatically shifted her position on Ukraine. The far-right commentator, once a vocal critic of American aid to Kyiv, now champions Ukrainian efforts against Moscow. Her transformation comes after years of accusing Ukrainian forces of war crimes and challenging President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Jewish heritage. Loomer even previously urged Vladimir Putin to annex the entire nation.
A Surprise Interview in Kyiv
On Friday, Loomer shared a warm 45-minute conversation with Zelensky filmed in Ukraine’s capital. During the interview, she acknowledged spreading misinformation about the conflict and apologized for amplifying pro-Russian narratives. “I was bamboozled by Russian propaganda,” she confessed to the Ukrainian president, “and I came to believe a lot of untrue things about Ukraine.” This candid admission signaled a remarkable turnaround for one of Donald Trump’s most steadfast supporters.
“I was bamboozled by Russian propaganda, and I came to believe a lot of untrue things about Ukraine.”
Trump quickly endorsed the interview, posting a promotional clip on Truth Social with an enthusiastic “Very good!!!” White House sources revealed they had no prior knowledge of Loomer’s 30-hour journey to Ukraine, which involved an extended train ride from Poland due to airspace limitations. Neither the White House nor the State Department provided immediate responses to CNN regarding her visit.
The timing proved significant, as images of Loomer with Zelensky surfaced the same day Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the Philippines. During her visit, Loomer secured Zelensky’s promise to sign a peace agreement with Russia either at the White House or Trump’s Palm Beach residence. Rubio acknowledged that progress toward such a deal has remained minimal.
Zelensky plans to visit Trump at the White House on Tuesday, according to a White House official. The Ukrainian president mentioned earlier this week that he had conversations with Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. “It was a good, important conversation on how to reinvigorate diplomacy and bring peace closer,” he shared on X.
From Skeptic to Advocate
Until recently, Loomer appeared unlikely to embrace Ukrainian causes. She dedicated considerable energy to identifying perceived disloyalty within the Trump administration while using her extensive online presence to mobilize MAGA supporters against Ukraine. Her past work included writing op-eds for RT, the Kremlin-backed television network.
A Kyiv source familiar with the interview arrangements told CNN that organizers made “considerable effort” to shift Loomer’s perspective. Speaking briefly by phone while touring damage from a Russian bombing, Loomer described her encounter with Zelensky as positive. She declined to elaborate on how the trip was organized in follow-up messages with CNN.
During their discussion, Loomer moved away from previous claims that Zelensky backed neo-Nazi groups and commended Ukraine’s new antisemitism legislation. She also met with prominent Ukrainian rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman. Her evolving stance generated mixed responses, with liberal and anti-Trump Republicans on X expressing doubt about whether her转变 was authentic or financially motivated.
Loomer informed Puck that she covered her own flight expenses but would not disclose arrangements for security or transportation. “The government of Ukraine did not pay for me to go, if that’s what you’re asking,” she stated. Fellow far-right commentator Tim Pool seemingly ridiculed Loomer on X by sharing his own apparent change of heart on Ukraine, though he later suggested his position remained insincere.
Zelensky’s advisors welcomed the positive initial response to Loomer’s visit, according to the Kyiv source. They believe she could become a powerful advocate for Ukraine given her standing with Trump and his base. During the interview, Zelensky commended Trump and showed openness to Loomer’s suggestions for winning over MAGA voters. When asked to compare Trump with former President Joe Biden, he declined to choose, stating “History will answer,” before identifying Abraham Lincoln as America’s greatest president.
Loomer’s renewed support for Ukraine arrives amid an intensifying dispute with Tucker Carlson, who opposes Trump’s approach to Iran. Like Loomer, Carlson frequently echoes Russian talking points while resisting American assistance to Ukraine. However, Loomer has grown increasingly questioning of Carlson’s true intentions, exposing what she sees as inconsistencies in his positions.
