Samoa’s Prime Minister La’auli Leuatea Schmidt issued an apology after the Samoa Observer newspaper published video footage depicting him conducting a Nazi salute at a private family event. The seven-second clip was recorded during a Schmidt family reunion on the island of Savai’i in July 2007, when he held positions as an MP and deputy speaker of parliament.
In the footage, Schmidt can be seen holding a microphone while leading a “hip hip” call-and-response with attendees before instructing them to raise their right hands and recite “Heil Hitler.” Approximately a dozen people visible in the video appear to comply with his direction. Radio New Zealand stated it had independently verified the authenticity of the footage through its correspondent in Samoa.
Schmidt released his apology statement on Monday, the day after the newspaper’s publication. In the statement, he characterized the words and gesture as inappropriate regardless of intent and expressed regret for any offense caused. He stated his rejection of Nazism, antisemitism, racism, and all forms of political extremism, emphasizing that the episode did not reflect his personal beliefs or the values of Samoa’s government and people.
The apology came in response to criticism from academic experts. Richard Evans, a historian specializing in Nazi Germany, described the footage as “shocking and disturbing” in comments to the Samoa Observer. Anne-Marie Brady, an academic at the University of Canterbury, called for Schmidt to provide an explanation and apology.
Schmidt, who assumed the office of prime minister in 2025, has previously demonstrated public support for Israel. He wore a Jewish prayer shawl during his swearing-in ceremony, where a shofar was sounded, and has committed to establishing a Samoan embassy in Jerusalem before the end of 2026. In his Monday statement, Schmidt indicated he considered the matter resolved and intended to direct attention toward addressing the country’s economic and social challenges.
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