# Samoan Prime Minister Nazi salute controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/samoan-prime-minister-nazi-salute-controversy
> Updated: 2026-10-07T13:07:46.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2.

Samoan Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt issued a formal apology following the release of a 2007 video by the Samoa Observer. The footage shows Schmidt, who was then the deputy speaker of Parliament, performing a Nazi salute and saying “Heil Hitler” during a private family reunion on the island of Savai‘i.

Schmidt acknowledged that the gestures and words were “inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt.” He stated that the incident does not reflect his personal beliefs or the values of the Samoan government, explicitly noting, “I reject Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism.”

## Timeline

### 2026-10-07: Samoa Prime Minister apologizes for 2007 Nazi salute footage

Samoan Prime Minister La’auli Leuatea Schmidt apologized after video footage from 2007 surfaced showing him using a Nazi salute and the phrase “Heil Hitler” at a private family event.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samoa-prime-minister-apologizes-for-2007-nazi-salute-footage

### 2026-10-05: Samoa PM apologizes for 2007 Nazi salute video

Samoa’s Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt apologized after a 2007 video surfaced showing him leading a Nazi salute and saying “Heil Hitler” at a private family gathering.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samoa-pm-apologizes-for-historical-nazi-salute-video

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Cite as: Samoan Prime Minister Nazi salute controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/samoan-prime-minister-nazi-salute-controversy