Samoa's Prime Minister Apologises After 2007 Video Shows Him Giving Nazi Salute

Samoa's Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has issued a public apology after a video surfaced showing him performing a Nazi salute and shouting "Heil Hitler" at a family gathering nearly two decades ago.

The footage, which runs for just seven seconds, was filmed in July 2007 and shows Schmidt leading roughly a dozen people in the gesture. In the clip, he instructs those present to raise their right hands before exclaiming the Nazi phrase, and then thanks the group for complying.

The video was first brought to public attention by the Samoa Observer, which published a news story about it on Sunday. According to the local outlet, the recording was made during a Schmidt family reunion in July 2007, at a time when Schmidt was serving as deputy speaker of Samoa's parliament. The Observer quoted a family member who said Schmidt had been acting as master of ceremonies at the event.

In response to the emerging controversy, Schmidt released a statement on Facebook on Monday acknowledging that his words and actions "were inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt." He emphasised that the clip was recorded at a private gathering and was "not intended for the public."

The prime minister also sought to distance himself from the ideology associated with the salute, stating: "I reject Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism."

Samoa is a small island nation of approximately 221,000 people, located about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii in the South Pacific. The country was under German colonial control in the early 20th century, a period that came to an end shortly after the outbreak of World War One. That historical connection adds a layer of complexity to the controversy, given Schmidt's own heritage.

Schmidt, who has both Samoan and German ancestry, assumed office as Samoa's eighth prime minister in September 2025. His background and political positions have drawn international attention since he took the top job.

During his swearing-in ceremony, Schmidt wore a Jewish prayer shawl, a notable gesture that signalled his alignment with Israel. In the early days of his premiership, he made clear his support for the Jewish state, declaring that Samoa "stood with Israel."

He elaborated on that position at the time, saying: "If people around the world don't like it, that's up to them, but Samoa stands with the land of God... There is only one God our country believes in, the God of Israel."

The contrast between those recent professions of solidarity with Israel and the newly surfaced video from 2007 has raised questions about the prime minister's past conduct and the evolution of his public stance. The apology appears aimed at containing the fallout from the clip, which has circulated rapidly since the Samoa Observer's report.

The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding Nazi symbolism and antisemitism in public life, even when such actions occur in private settings years before an individual assumes high office. In an era where old recordings can resurface instantly through social media and digital archives, public figures face heightened scrutiny over their past behaviour.

For Samoa, the controversy places its prime minister under an international spotlight at a relatively early stage of his tenure. The apology may help quell immediate criticism, but the episode is likely to prompt continued discussion about accountability and the standards expected of national leaders.

Schmidt's statement did not address why he performed the salute or what prompted the gesture at the family reunion. The family member quoted by the Samoa Observer indicated he was directing the gathering as master of ceremonies, suggesting the salute may have been part of an event format that has not been fully explained.

The prime minister's office has not issued further comment beyond the Facebook statement. It remains to be seen whether the apology will satisfy critics, particularly given the symbolic weight of the gesture and Schmidt's earlier, very public embrace of Israel and Jewish religious symbols.

The timing of the video's emergence, more than 18 years after it was filmed, underscores how historical footage can become a political liability long after the fact. For Schmidt, the challenge now is to reassure both domestic constituents and international observers that the values he professes today are genuine and enduring.

As the story continues to develop, observers will watch for any additional responses from the Samoan government, Jewish organisations, or other stakeholders. The prime minister's apology represents an initial attempt to move past the controversy, but the broader implications for his leadership and Samoa's international image may take longer to assess.