Samoan prime minister apologises over 2007 Nazi salute video
Samoa’s prime minister has apologised after footage emerged of him giving a Nazi salute at a family gathering in 2007.
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The seven-second clip shows Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt leading about a dozen people in the salute at a family gathering in July 2007. He tells them to raise their right hands and says “Heil Hitler”, according to the BBC. [1]
In a statement published on Facebook on Monday, Schmidt acknowledged that his words and gesture were inappropriate and could cause hurt. He said the gathering was private and the recording was not intended for the public. He also said he rejected Nazism, antisemitism, racism and political extremism. [1]
The Samoa Observer first reported the footage on Sunday, the BBC says. According to the newspaper, it was filmed at a Schmidt family reunion when he was deputy speaker of parliament. Schmidt became prime minister in September 2025. [1]
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