Laura Loomer dubbed ‘Trump’s Rasputin’ as POTUS calls her a patriot amid her rising power in White House

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump, on his way back to the White House from a weekend at his New Jersey golf club, offered a strong endorsement of far-right provocateur Laura Loomer, calling her a “patriot” amid her growing influence over personnel decisions in his administration.

The 32-year-old self-proclaimed “watchdog” has helped oust several senior officials, often meeting Trump personally to present research targeting figures she deems disloyal.

Loomer, known for her history of white nationalist remarks, anti-Islam rhetoric, and conspiracy theories, has no official role in the administration, but has quickly become a powerful behind-the-scenes force in Trump’s orbit.

Trump lauds Laura Loomer during golf club return

Speaking to reporters after a weekend at his golf resort, Trump said of Loomer, “I think she’s a patriot, and she gets excited because of the fact that she’s a patriot. And she doesn’t like things going on that she thinks are bad for the country. I like her.”

The comments come amid increasing scrutiny over Loomer’s growing presence in Trump world. She has been seen frequently in and out of the West Wing and is now wielding enough power to directly influence who stays, and who gets fired, within federal agencies.

Once on the periphery of MAGA circles, Loomer has earned the nickname “Trump’s Rasputin,” a nod to the Russian mystic who influenced the tsar’s court. “One of my friends said it made me sound like Trump’s Rasputin,” she told The Telegraph.

In a pattern dubbed “getting Loomered,” she identifies officials she believes are insufficiently loyal, exposes their past social media activity or donations, shares findings with her 1.7 million followers on X, and ultimately takes the case to Trump.

She claims her work is akin to journalism: “I take it upon myself as an investigative journalist to do the vetting. And it’s like journalism because these are news stories.”

From social media sleuthing to oval office meetings

Loomer has claimed responsibility for the ouster of several high-ranking figures, including April Falcon Doss, former general counsel of the National Security Agency, who was fired just a day after Loomer met with Trump in the Oval Office. “It was an honor to meet with President Trump and present him with my research findings,” she posted afterward.

In another case, she accused top vaccine official Vinay Prasad of being a “progressive leftist saboteur.” Prasad later stepped down.

In May, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was also removed, and Loomer later wrote that he had been “Loomered.”

Controversy and criticism trail Loomer’s rise

Despite Trump’s praise, Loomer’s role has sparked backlash from both political opponents and some within his own circle. Her past comments, including calling Islam a “cancer” and Muslims “savages,” have led to bans on multiple platforms for hate speech and misinformation.

Even within Trump’s team, there have been efforts to keep her at arm’s length. According to The Telegraph, she grew furious after being blocked from approaching Trump during a Les Misérables performance in June.

Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, described Loomer as a rare force in Washington. “Her combination of tenacity and courage” stands out in a city full of “lazy, shiftless cowards,” he said. “There are very few America First people associated with the government… and Loomer is the instrument.”

Bannon endorsed Loomer’s calls for a purge of “Deep State” actors and establishment figures in the national security and foreign policy apparatus.

“Too Controversial” for a cabinet role, but still powerful

Despite her influence, Loomer remains on the outside formally. She has no official title and does not work for the administration. She said, “People can talk about things all they want online, but I’m the one that actually brings it to Trump’s attention.”

Trump reportedly wanted to hire her during his campaign, but some aides feared her history of extremist statements would prove politically damaging.

Still, she remains a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago and once even joined Trump on his private jet. “I view myself as an extra set of eyes, like a watchdog, for the administration to help them so they don’t get totally screwed,” she said.

Loomer’s sway is significant, but not absolute. Trump has ignored her calls to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Epstein files, and continues with plans to convert a Qatari jet into a new Air Force One, which Loomer called “a stain” on his presidency.

Yet she remains undeterred. “Obama purged everybody. Biden purged everybody,” she said. “They literally said, if you worked for Trump, you were disqualified because of J-6… so every other administration has had purity tests."