FLORDIA IN PLAY

'Alex Jones turn you down?' GOP senator trashed for cozying up to 'toxic' MAGA influencer

Kathleen Culliton
October 30, 2024 

FILE PHOTO: Laura Loomer arrives ahead of former U.S. President Donald Trump's debate with Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 10, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

A Republican senator faced significant backlash Wednesday after he first disavowed racist jokes told at former President Donald Trump's recent rally then promoted his on a podcast with a white nationalist.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who is running for reelection this year, promoted his appearance on Laura Loomer's show just days after condemning comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's slur on Puerto Ricans, whose nation he called a "floating island of garbage."

"Excited to talk about the Senate GOP Leader race soon with [Loomer]!" wrote Scott. "We need Republicans in Washington to act like Republicans again. Looking forward to the conversation!"

Replied independent journalist Aaron Rupar, "Did Alex Jones turn you down or what?"

Loomer is the controversial MAGA activist who has spread conspiracy theories about the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, pronounced herself a "proud Islamophobe" and addressed white nationalists at a 2022 conference during which she declared she was a "white advocate," reports show.

When Trump last month summoned Loomer onto his personal plane and brought her to a Sept. 11 anniversary ceremony in New York City, and at the time it sparked outrage on the right.

And when Scott promoted his appearance on her podcast Tuesday night, he faced similar condemnation from policy experts, political commentators and even a former Trump aide.

"So Rick Scott condemned the anti-Puerto Rican bigotry at the MSG rally, but is going to appear with Laura Loomer, a self avowed white nationalist and Islamophobe on her podcast," wrote Tim Wise, a senior fellow at the African American Policy Forum.

"Lets you know Scott's concerns: it's not that he minds racism. He just needs Puerto Rican votes."

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Mark Jacob, a former Chicago Tribune editor, urged Florida voters not to validate Scott's campaign tactics with their votes on Nov. 5 — and threw support behind his Democratic challenger instead.

"Here’s Republican Sen. Rick Scott legitimizing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who said 9/11 was 'an inside job' and suggested the Parkland school shooting was a hoax," he wrote. "Please, Florida. Vote Scott out. Vote Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in."

Christopher Mathias, senior reporter for the Huffington Post, noted Scott's promotion came within days of condemning Hinchcliffe.

"Less than 48 hrs after distancing self from the racist Puerto Rico remark at MSG, Scott promotes Loomer," wrote Matthias, "who calls herself 'proud Islamophobe' & 'pro-white nationalism' who 'really does believe in IQ science' & called Ilhan Omar 'black dog' & said Somalis are 'inbred' & 'low IQ.'"


Mathias' HuffPo colleague Igor Bobic also highlighted a racist joke Loomer herself made last month that drew criticism from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) as well as Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

"Loomer said if Harris wins the election 'the White House will smell like curry,' drawing condemnations from Graham, Tillis, & even MTG," Bobic wrote. "Graham called her “toxic” and urged Trump to keep his distance."

Trump's former deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews posited Scott's decision to appear on the show reflected his desperation to hold onto his Senate seat.

"Imagine wanting power so badly that you’re willing to debase yourself like this," Matthews wrote. "Feeling the need to kowtow to Laura Loomer is disqualifying for someone seeking to lead the Senate GOP."