North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis has joined other Republican leaders in voicing concerns about former President Trump’s close relationship with far-right provocateur Laura Loomer in the final stretch of his presidential campaign.
“Laura Loomer is a crazy conspiracy theorist who regularly utters disgusting garbage intended to divide Republicans. A DNC plant couldn’t do a better job than she is doing to hurt President Trump’s chances of winning re-election. Enough,” Tillis wrote on social media Friday.
His comments follow similar rebukes from high-profile GOP figures and Trump allies Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.).
Loomer, who is not an official member of Trump’s campaign team, flew on the former president’s plane to Tuesday’s debate against Vice President Harris in Philadelphia and was part of his entourage for memorial events Wednesday to mark the anniversary of 9/11.
Loomer, 31, shot back this week at those criticizing her.
“The American people deserve people who fight instead of cowering in fear of the media,” Loomer posted on the social platform X. “I don’t care about what they or any sellout member of Congress has to say about me.”
Tillis, 64, has been in the Senate for nearly a decade after narrowly beating Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan in 2014. He previously was a member of the North Carolina Legislature and spent a term as state House Speaker.
Graham and Greene earlier this week called out Loomer for racist comments directed at Harris.
During an appearance in California on Friday, Trump responded to reporters’ questions about Loomer.
“Laura’s a supporter,” he said. “I have a lot of supporters.”
He added that he doesn’t know why people are asking questions about her.
“She’s a strong person; she’s got strong opinions,” he said.
This story was updated at 2:20 p.m.