In brief
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt issued an apology following the discovery of a 2007 family video in which he performs a Nazi salute and says ‘Heil Hitler’. The clip, which shows him leading a dozen relatives in the gesture, was filmed at a private gathering and was never intended for public release. In a Facebook statement Schmidt rejected Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism, reaffirming that Samoa stands with Israel. The incident underscores the reach of social media where old footage can resurfaces, generating controversy and scrutiny of political figures. Schmidt’s German‑Samoan heritage and his pro‑Israel stance add complexity to the fallout of the scandal.
Samoa's Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has issued an apology after a 2007 family video surfaced in which he performs a Nazi salute and says "Heil Hitler".
The seven‑second clip shows the then deputy speaker leading a dozen family members in the salute, a gesture widely condemned worldwide.
Schmidt said the video was taken at a private gathering and was "not intended for the public", adding that his words and gesture were "inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt".
In a Facebook statement he rejected Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism, pledging that Samoa stands with Israel.
The incident, highlighted by a Samoa Observer report, illustrates how old footage can resurface to reignite controversies in a globally connected media landscape.
Schmidt, who has Samoan and German heritage, was sworn in September 2025. His support for Israel, evidenced by wearing a Jewish prayer shawl at his swearing‑in, underscores his pro‑Israel stance.
Samoa, a small Pacific nation of 221,000 people that was once German‑colonised, now faces scrutiny over the conduct of its leaders.
