Politics
Samoa's prime minister apologizes for leading 'Heil Hitler' chant in 2007 video
October 5, 2026 at 06:39 PM
Coverage
3 reports · 1 in Arabic, 2 in English · over 22 hours
BNBBC News
Samoa leader apologises for Nazi salute after video from 2007 emerges
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AJAl Jazeera Arabic
رئيس وزراء ساموا يعتذر عن ترديد عبارة "يحيا هتلر" في مقطع فيديو
(opens the publisher’s site)
CNCNN
Samoan leader apologizes for ‘Heil Hitler’ salute at 2007 family reunion
(opens the publisher’s site)Samoa's prime minister apologized Monday after a video surfaced showing him leading a Nazi salute and 'Heil Hitler' chant at a 2007 family reunion.
- The Samoa Observer published the seven-second clip Sunday showing Schmidt instructing attendees to raise their right hands and chant 'Heil Hitler.'
- Schmidt apologized in a government statement Monday, saying the words and gesture were 'inappropriate' and 'not intended for the public.'
- The clip was recorded at a private family gathering on Savai'i island in July 2007, when Schmidt served as deputy speaker of Parliament.
- Schmidt said the incident does not reflect his beliefs, stating he rejects Nazism, antisemitism, racism, and all forms of political extremism.