The upcoming visit of far-right American activist Laura Loomer to New Delhi has triggered sharp reactions both in the United States and among sections of the Indian diaspora. Loomer, known for her hardline pro-Trump positions and past anti-India remarks, is scheduled to speak at a two-day summit at the Taj Palace Hotel this week.
The announcement has sparked intense criticism online and within Indian American circles. Among those speaking out is journalist Mehdi Hasan, who questioned why Loomer was being given a platform in India. Several Indian-American organizations and community voices have also raised similar concerns, asking why a figure associated with inflammatory rhetoric was invited to address an event in the Indian capital.
The controversy deepened after Loomer appeared to delete several past posts on X that targeted India and the Indian community in the United States. Some observers have accused the activist of attempting to “clean up” her social media history ahead of her trip to New Delhi, where she is scheduled to speak at the summit. The allegations began circulating after users noticed that a number of earlier posts containing harsh remarks about India were no longer visible on her account.
Despite the backlash, Loomer has publicly acknowledged the upcoming trip on X, writing that she is looking forward to visiting India and speaking at the event.
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The announcement also reignited scrutiny of Laura Loomer’s past statements. Social media users and Indian American voices began resurfacing posts from 2024 and 2025 in which she used derogatory language to describe Indian immigrants, at one point calling them “third-world invaders.”
Critics also pointed to posts where Loomer mocked Bollywood and made curry-related jokes about former Vice President Kamala Harris, while also making disparaging remarks about hygiene practices in India.
Many of those posts, according to users tracking her account activity, were removed ahead of India’s Independence Day in 2025. The resurfaced screenshots have circulated widely online, intensifying criticism from journalists, Indian American commentators, and community groups who argue that her past rhetoric makes the decision to host her in India deeply troubling.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan, a former host at MSNBC, also weighed in on the controversy. Reacting to the invitation extended to Laura Loomer, Hasan wrote on X, “How are Indians ok with this?” Critics argue that Loomer’s record includes years of inflammatory remarks about immigrants and minority communities, statements that several observers say cross the line into outright racism.
The backlash has also begun to target the organizers of the event. Social media users have criticized India Today and its founder and chairman Aroon Purie for inviting Laura Loomer to speak at the India Today Conclave 2026. One user wrote, “Congratulations @IndiaToday @aroonpurie inviting the racist, Trump Supporter @LauraLoomer for India Today Conclave 2026. 👏👏.”
Past remarks by Laura Loomer have also resurfaced as criticism of her India visit grows. During the U.S. presidential campaign, Loomer wrote that if Kamala Harris were to win the presidency, “the White House will smell like curry” and suggested that speeches would be handled through “call centres.” The comment drew backlash at the time, including from fellow MAGA figure Marjorie Taylor Greene, who described the post as “appalling and extremely racist.”
Loomer has also been a vocal critic of the H-1B visa program, frequently targeting Indian tech professionals in her commentary. In several posts over the years, she described Indian workers not as skilled immigrants but as “third-world invaders” taking American jobs. She also publicly opposed the appointment of Sriram Krishnan as a senior AI adviser in Washington, arguing that the move symbolized outsourcing and foreign worker influence in the U.S. technology sector.
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Against that backdrop, her scheduled appearance at the India Today Conclave 2026 has raised fresh questions about the decision to invite her to a forum that typically features business leaders, policymakers, and global thinkers. Critics say her history of targeting Indians and Indian Americans sits uneasily with the platform.
Still, Loomer herself has shown no hesitation about the trip. In a post on X announcing the visit, she wrote, “See you soon, India! Looking forward to speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026 conference this week!”
Born on May 21, 1993, in Tucson, Arizona, Loomer studied broadcast journalism at Barry University. She first gained visibility through work with outlets such as Project Veritas, Rebel News, and InfoWars, often drawing attention through provocative stunts and combative commentary.
She has also entered electoral politics, running for Congress in Florida twice as a Republican. Loomer lost in 2020 to Democratic lawmaker Lois Frankel and again in 2022 to Republican incumbent Daniel Webster.
Despite being banned from several major platforms at various points, she continues to maintain an active presence on X and hosts a podcast titled “Loomer Unleashed” on Rumble.