Worlddiplomacy
Samoa leader apologises for Nazi salute after video from 2007 emerges
Samoa's Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, has issued a public apology after an archived video from July 2007 surfaced showing him performing a Nazi salute and shouting "Heil Hitler" at a family gathering. Schmidt, who took office in September 2025 and possesses both Samoan and German heritage, acknowledged that his actions and words were completely inappropriate, noting they were capable of causing serious offence and hurt.