“Excited” Sen. Rick Scott campaigns on show of Puerto Rico-bashing extremist Laura Loomer

Scott to Loomer: “I've gotten to meet wonderful people and work with wonderful people, and congratulations on all your success”

Written by Eric Hananoki

Published

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) campaigned for his reelection bid and for the Republican Senate leader position on the streaming show of Laura Loomer, who said a few months ago that Puerto Ricans shouldn’t be allowed to serve as federal judges because they supposedly aren’t “from this country.” (They are.)

The bigoted remarks are part of a long pattern for Loomer. She has said that she’s “pro-white nationalism,” described herself as a “proud Islamophobe,” and promoted the conspiracy theory that “9/11 was an Inside Job!”

Puerto Rico has been in the news since Tony Hinchcliffe called the U.S. territory a "floating island of garbage” during an October 27 Trump rally. 

Scott distanced himself from the remarks, saying that it’s “not funny and it’s not true.” 

Numerous right-wing commentators have defended Hinchcliffe’s remarks. And others have also trashed Puerto Rico, including Loomer. She said on her program on May 21:

LAURA LOOMER (HOST): In what world is it appropriate for immigrants to be deciding whether or not, you know, Donald Trump could be on the ballot or whether or not Donald Trump will be the next president depending on the outcome of these cases? And some people will say that that's an offensive statement to make. I don't really care. It's just something that a lot of people aren't aware of, and I think that it puts things into perspective when people realize, holy shit, three of the judges involved in Trump's cases are not even from this country. They're from Jamaica, Colombia, and Puerto Rico.

Scott appeared on Loomer’s show on October 29, where he told her: “Thank you for all your help in helping me win my election” for governor in 2014. (Loomer helped his gubernatorial campaign while she was in college.) 

He added: “I'm very appreciative. You know, I've been blessed. I've gotten to meet wonderful people and work with wonderful people, and congratulations on all your success.” 

Prior to the appearance, Scott wrote that he was “excited” to be on the program. 

Loomer heavily praised Scott during the interview, including saying: “We have to help you win, and I just voted for you the other day.” 

She added at the end of the interview: “The only way we are going to have a successful Trump administration and somebody who is actually going to impose a MAGA majority in the Senate is if Sen. Rick Scott becomes our next Senate GOP leader.” 

She later wrote on social media: “I have known Rick Scott for 11 years and he has always been an honorable man and a fighter. I even saved the letters he sent me when I was the President of College Republicans in Florida.”

Laura Loomer and Rick Scott

Numerous Republican officials and candidates have appeared on Loomer’s show, including JD Vance, Bernie Moreno, and Kari Lake. Loomer is also a close ally of Trump.