Samoa's Prime Minister filmed giving a Nazi salute and leading a group chanting 'Heil Hitler'

The Samoa Observer newspaper has uncovered footage from 2007 showing Samoa's Prime Minister, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, leading a group in a Nazi salute and chanting 'Heil Hitler'. The video was filmed at a family gathering in the village of Saputo. Historians have condemned the footage. Schmidt has yet to respond.

The Samoa Observer newspaper has uncovered video footage from 2007, in which Samoa's Prime Minister, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, is seen leading a group in a Nazi salute and chanting 'Heil Hitler'. The seven-second video was filmed at a family gathering in the village of Saputo on the island of Savai'i. At the time, Schmidt was serving as Deputy Speaker of Parliament. The revelation has sparked sharp reactions from historians and academics. Historian Sir Richard Evans described the footage as 'shocking and disturbing', stating that even if it was a provocation, the use of the Nazi salute raises serious questions. Professor Anne-Marie Brady called on Schmidt to explain the incident and apologize, arguing that it could damage Samoa's international reputation. The video provides no context or explanation for the event. Schmidt, who became Prime Minister in September 2025, has not yet commented.