Maga influencer Laura Loomer reverses course on Ukraine after Kyiv visit

Lead

Laura Loomer, a prominent MAGA influencer known for her incendiary social media commentary, has dramatically reversed her stance on Ukraine following a visit to Kyiv where she interviewed President Volodymyr Zelensky. The turnaround, which Loomer announced in a series of posts on X, marks a significant shift for a figure who had spent years minimizing Russia's invasion and amplifying Kremlin propaganda to her nearly 2 million followers.

According to reports from The Guardian and the Jerusalem Post, Loomer met with Zelensky in the garden of the presidential palace in Kyiv and also sat down with influential rabbi Moshe Azman. In her posts, she apologized for past assertions that Ukraine is "full of Nazi sympathizers" and called Zelensky "a self-hating Nazi Jew," admitting, "I admit it, I fell for Russian propaganda."

Coverage Comparison

The Guardian framed Loomer's change of heart as a sign that "the White House's traditional hostility towards Ukraine is beginning to crumble," linking the visit to an upcoming meeting between Zelensky and President Donald Trump in Washington. The Guardian reported that Zelensky described his relationship with Trump as significantly improved, calling their brief conversation in the Vatican in April 2025 a "historic moment."

The Jerusalem Post focused on Loomer's apology and newfound support for Ukraine, highlighting her Jewish identity and her meetings with Azman and Zelensky, during which Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's new law criminalizing antisemitism. The South China Morning Post reported on the potential political reverberations of Loomer's turnaround, noting that her previous comments had been used by Russia to justify its invasion.

Key Claims

• Loomer interviewed Zelensky during her visit to Kyiv — reported by The Guardian, Jerusalem Post, and South China Morning Post.
• Loomer apologized for past statements that Ukraine is full of Nazi sympathizers — reported by The Guardian, Jerusalem Post, and South China Morning Post.
• Loomer met with rabbi Moshe Azman — reported by Jerusalem Post and The Guardian.
• Zelensky highlighted Ukraine's new law criminalizing antisemitism — reported by Jerusalem Post.
• Zelensky said his relationship with Trump has improved — reported by The Guardian.
• Zelensky will meet Trump in Washington next week — reported by The Guardian, based on Loomer's account.
• Vice President JD Vance took credit for halting US aid to Ukraine earlier this year — reported by Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

• Laura Loomer: After visiting Kyiv and experiencing an air raid, Loomer expressed regret for her past dismissive comments, saying, "I often said I don’t care. Looking back, that wasn’t very nice of me to say. We need to have moral clarity." She also admitted to falling for Russian propaganda.

• Volodymyr Zelensky: In his interview with Loomer, Zelensky described his relationship with Trump as improved and highlighted Ukraine's efforts to combat antisemitism. He is expected to meet Trump in Washington next week.

• JD Vance: The US Vice President, who has been a vocal critic of continued US aid to Ukraine, has taken credit for halting aid earlier this year, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

• Commentators in Kyiv: As reported by The Guardian, commentators in Kyiv suggested that Trump's praise of Loomer's interview confirmed a shift in the administration's previously negative view of Ukraine, coinciding with Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russia.