When a longtime Obama strategist marvels that a right‑wing activist like Laura Loomer is shaping global diplomacy, it shows just how much the political map has changed under President Trump.
Story Snapshot
- David Axelrod highlighted Laura Loomer’s influence by pointing to her new role in Ukraine’s outreach to Trump.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chose Loomer for a key interview aimed at improving ties with Trump.
- Media outlets on the left now frame Loomer as a “de facto adviser,” even while Trump and the White House deny any formal role.
- The fight over Loomer’s influence exposes how outsiders, not deep‑state insiders, can now shape policy and personnel in Washington.
Axelrod’s Surprise: Zelenskyy Turns to a Trump Ally
David Axelrod, a veteran Obama campaign strategist and commentator, reacted with open surprise after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sat down for a one‑on‑one interview with Laura Loomer. Axelrod noted that Zelenskyy was clearly trying to reach President Trump by choosing a trusted Trump ally instead of the usual establishment media figures. His “my goodness” reaction captured the shock inside the old guard that a right‑wing activist, often mocked by the left, now has a real seat at the table in global affairs.
Axelrod’s comments fit into a wider media narrative that portrays Loomer as a key outside voice in Trump’s orbit. Outlets such as the Public Broadcasting Service and The Guardian describe her as having “outsized sway” over Trump, especially on foreign policy and national security staffing. By pointing to Zelenskyy’s choice to speak with Loomer, Axelrod was admitting something many on the left do not like to say out loud: if you want to understand Trump’s America, you cannot ignore the grassroots influencers that speak directly to his base.
Loomer’s Path from Online Activist to Foreign Policy Player
Laura Loomer built her profile as a combative online activist, attacking what she sees as disloyal or “deep state” figures inside government. Reports from major outlets say that, during President Trump’s second term, she has gained direct access to him through Oval Office meetings and constant social media contact. According to these accounts, her posts calling out certain National Security Council staff as insufficiently loyal helped draw Trump’s attention and were followed by a string of dismissals in key security posts.
Several publications now claim Loomer has effectively acted as an informal adviser on foreign policy and personnel, even while holding no official government position. The British Broadcasting Corporation reported that Loomer met with Trump shortly before he removed several senior National Security Council officials and that sources said she urged him to fire staff she saw as weak or disloyal. The Conversation and National Public Radio further describe her as pushing for the removal of national security and agency leaders, framing her as a “loyalty enforcer” within the broader Make America Great Again movement.
Trump’s Denial, Media Spin, and What the Facts Show
President Trump has publicly denied that Loomer directly caused the national security firings, saying she had no involvement at all in those decisions. The White House has also stated that Loomer does not hold any advisory role, formal or informal, which pushes back on claims that she is a hidden government official. Loomer herself called her Oval Office meeting with Trump “confidential” and declined to give details, which leaves reporters working mainly from timing and anonymous sources rather than hard documents.
Even with those denials, the basic timeline is clear in the public record: Loomer gained repeated access to Trump, targeted specific officials on social media, and those officials were later removed from powerful posts. Major newspapers and broadcasters, including The New York Times and the Washington Post, say her online campaigns often line up closely with later personnel moves, such as changes to security details and agency leadership. That pattern does not prove she makes the final calls, but it does show she is part of a new ecosystem where activists and independent voices can push for real change without going through the old D.C. gatekeepers.
Zelenskyy’s Calculated Outreach and What It Means for America First
Reports from Ukraine say President Zelenskyy gave an interview to Loomer, which she promoted on her social media channels. Al Jazeera and other outlets describe the meeting as a major shift, since Loomer has long been seen as skeptical of Ukraine aid and harsh on globalist foreign policy. In the interview and related coverage, Zelenskyy linked this outreach to his effort to improve his relationship with Trump, which he said turned around during a short conversation at the Vatican in 2025.
David Axelrod says Zelensky chose to do a one-on-one interview with Laura Loomer to try to reach Trump: “All I could think of is, my goodness, the things one has to do to save their country.” pic.twitter.com/mFkonjgfTl
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) July 24, 2026
For American conservatives, Zelenskyy’s move is telling. Instead of running to legacy media or partisan think tanks, a foreign leader seeking better ties with Washington went straight to a voice trusted by the Trump base. That choice shows how much power now rests with independent media figures and grassroots activists who speak plainly about loyalty, border security, and an America First approach. It also underlines how frustrated the old guard is, as seen in Axelrod’s reaction, when they realize they no longer control the channels that matter.
Sources:
mediaite.com, pbs.org, theguardian.com, bbc.com, theconversation.com, britannica.com, washingtonpost.com, newyorker.com, nytimes.com
