Samoa’s Prime Minister Apologises for 2007 Nazi Salute
The centre‑elected leader of Samoa, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, issued a public apology after a seven‑second clip of him performing a Nazi salute and shouting Heil Hitler surfaced online.
The footage, taken at a family reunion in July 2007 while Schmidt held the post of deputy speaker, shows him leading the salute and encouraging the group to respond. He insists the event was private, not meant for public viewing.
In remarks posted to Facebook, Schmidt called the gesture inappropriate and said he rejects Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism. The video was first reported by the Samoa Observer.
Schmidt, who entered prime ministership in September 2025, has a mixed Samoan and German heritage and has expressed support for Israel, notably wearing a Jewish prayer shawl at his oath‑taking ceremony.
The incident has prompted discussion about historical sensitivities in Samoa, a nation that was once a German colony before its transfer to New Zealand after World War I. Officials say the apology addresses concerns over the extent of the mistake and the potential for causing hurt.
