Laura Loomer, who spread a conspiracy theory about 9/11, joins Trump in ceremonies commemorating the attacks

Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist who wrote last year that 9/11 was an “inside job,” joined Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in commemorations of the anniversary of the attacks in New York and Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old provocateur and influencer posted photos from Ground Zero and shared a video of Trump speaking to firefighters in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday morning. She wrote: “They were excited to see him.” She also accompanied the former president to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the planes crashed 23 years ago after crew members and passengers fought back against the hijackers.

“UPDATE: President Trump just visited the Shanksville Fire Department after visiting the United Flight 93 memorial and meeting with family members of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Shanksville, Pennsylvania,” she posted on X on Wednesday afternoon. “NEVER FORGET!”

Loomer said in a text message to the Associated Press that she does not work for the Trump campaign and was “invited as a guest.” She did not respond to questions about her previous statements on 9/11. The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment on Loomer's participation in the memorial events.

Loomer was also seen disembarking Trump's plane as he landed in Philadelphia for Tuesday's debate.

Trump has a history of supporting and associating with people who spread falsehoods and conspiracy theories. And he regularly amplifies posts on his social media page shared by people like Loomer who promote QAnon, an apocalyptic and convoluted conspiracy theory based on the belief that Trump is fighting the “deep state.” During the debate, Trump spread baseless claims about migrants stealing and eating cats and dogs, later defending his comments by saying he was repeating things he had seen on television.

She frequently posts anti-Islam and anti-immigrant messages on social media, and attacks Trump's Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, with vile racist and sexist attacks. Last year, she shared a video on X titled “9/11 was an inside job!” and claimed it had something to do with then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's announcement of $2.3 trillion in “lost” government funds on September 10, 2001.

The post misrepresented Rumsfeld's remarks about the challenges of tracking funds due to outdated technology. The day before 9/11 was not the first time this issue had been discussed.

The conspiracy theory that U.S. authorities withheld information about the September 11 attacks or were somehow involved in their planning has gained traction among a section of determined “truthers.” However, many of its most popular claims have fallen apart upon closer examination.

Loomer's increased presence in Trump's entourage comes after he made a number of personnel changes in recent weeks, including the return of veterans of his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, such as former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Lewandowski was known for the mantra “Let Trump be Trump.”

She has long been one of Trump's fiercest supporters in the “Make America Great Again” wing of the Republican Party. She led attacks on Trump's behalf against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the 2024 presidential primaries and has been deeply involved in pro-Trump politics – and the more extreme elements it has attracted – for years.

Some Trump allies would prefer the former president to distance himself from Loomer, but Trump has welcomed her as a semi-regular presence in recent months.

When she ran for Congress in Florida as a Republican in 2020, Loomer celebrated her primary victory at a party attended by controversial figures, including Gavin McInnes, the founder of the far-right group Proud Boys. She later lost the 2020 race for the House seat to Democrat Lois Frankel. She also ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022.