Samoa's Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt issued an apology after a seven‑second clip from July 2007 surfaced, in which he led a group in a Nazi salute while shouting "Heil Hitler" at a family gathering.
The footage, filmed during a private reunion when Schmidt was deputy speaker of parliament, shows him raising his right hand and urging people to respond with the salutation. Schmidt explained that the gesture was inappropriate, was not intended for public view, and could cause offence and hurt.
In a statement posted on Facebook, he rejected Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism, reminding the public that his action was not aligned with his values. He also highlighted his Samoan and German heritage as part of his identity, noting that he had worn a Jewish prayer shawl during his swearing‑in ceremony and has voiced support for Israel, describing Samoa as "standing with the land of God."
The video was first reported by the Samoa Observer, which described the event as a family reunion in 2007. Since the clip's emergence, it has sparked discussions within Samoa and internationally about historical context, leaders' accountability and the importance of combating extremist rhetoric.
Schmidt's apology underscores the sensitivities surrounding public image, heritage and political responsibility in the Pacific nation of Samoa, home to about 221,000 people between New Zealand and Hawaii.
