Samoa PM apologises after Nazi salute video emerges
Summary
Samoa’s Prime Minister La’auli Leuatea Schmidt apologized after a video showed him doing a Nazi salute and saying “Heil Hitler” at a family event in 2007. He said the gesture was wrong, rejected Nazism and racism, and stated it does not reflect his or Samoa’s values.Key Facts
- The video was filmed in July 2007 at a family reunion on the island of Savai‘i.
- Schmidt led the group in a Nazi salute and the phrase “Heil Hitler.”
- About a dozen people in the video followed the gesture.
- The footage was verified by Radio New Zealand journalists.
- Schmidt was an MP and deputy speaker of parliament at the time of the video.
- He became Samoa’s Prime Minister in 2025.
- Schmidt has shown strong support for Israel, including wearing a Jewish prayer shawl at his swearing-in.
- He plans to open a Samoan embassy in Jerusalem by the end of 2026.
- Schmidt said the incident does not represent his beliefs or Samoa’s government and people.
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