Samoa PM apologizes for saying Heil Hitler, performing Nazi salute in unearthed video from 2007

Samoa’s Prime Minister has apologized after a video emerged of him saying “Heil Hitler” and performing a Nazi salute in 2007.La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, who is of German-Samoan ancestry, said in a statement via the PM’s office on Monday that the “historical video footage” was taken at a “private family gathering” and was “not intended for the public.”According to the Samoa Observer, the video was filmed at a Schmidt family reunion in Safotu, Savai’i, in July 2007, when Schmidt was an MP and deputy speaker of parliament.The seven-second clip reportedly shows Schmidt holding a microphone in his left hand as he calls out “hip, hip!” and people around him respond “hooray!”He then leads the crowd in a Nazi salute, saying, “Raise your right hand, Heil Hitler!”Around 13 people are reportedly visible in the footage as the camera pans, showing others raising their right hands and repeating the salute, before Schmidt says “thank you” in Samoan.The video does not show what happened immediately before or after the exchange, according to the Samoa Observer.Schmidt was reportedly one of the main organizers and MC for the reunion.“Whatever the context or intention at that gathering 20 years ago, I recognise that those words and gestures were inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt and I apologise for using them,” Schmidt said.“I reject Nazism, anti-Semitism, racism and all forms of political extremism.They do not reflect my personal beliefs, nor the values of the Government or people of Samoa as in the public record of statements I made since becoming Prime Minister.”Schmidt wore a Jewish prayer shawl when he was sworn in as prime minister in 2025, entering the room to the sound of a ceremonial “shofar” horn.

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