Samoa's prime minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, has issued a public apology after a previously unseen video surfaced showing him performing a Nazi salute and shouting "Heil Hitler" during a family event nearly two decades ago.
The footage, which runs for roughly seven seconds, was filmed in July 2007 and shows Schmidt leading approximately a dozen people in the gesture. In the clip, he instructs those around him to raise their right hands before invoking the Nazi-era slogan, and then thanks the group for complying. At the time of the recording, Schmidt held the position of deputy speaker of Samoa's parliament.
The video was first brought to public attention by the Samoa Observer, which published a report on it on Sunday. According to the local newspaper, the recording was made during a Schmidt family reunion. The outlet quoted a family member who said Schmidt had been serving as the master of ceremonies for the gathering.
In response to the emergence of the footage, Schmidt released a statement on Monday through Facebook. He acknowledged that both his words and his gesture were inappropriate and had the potential to cause offence and hurt. He also stressed that the recording had been made at a private function and was never intended for public viewing.
"I reject Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism," Schmidt said in the statement, seeking to distance himself from the ideology associated with the salute.
The incident is particularly sensitive given Schmidt's personal background and political profile. He is of both Samoan and German heritage, and he assumed office as Samoa's eighth prime minister in September 2025. His mixed ancestry adds a layer of complexity to the controversy, as does the history of his country.
Samoa, a small Pacific island nation with a population of roughly 221,000, is located about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. It was under German colonial control in the early 20th century, a period that came to an end shortly after the outbreak of World War One. That colonial legacy means references to Nazi symbolism carry a distinctive historical resonance in the country.
Beyond his heritage, Schmidt has publicly positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel. During the early days of his premiership, he wore a Jewish prayer shawl at his swearing-in ceremony, a gesture that drew international attention. He has also made statements affirming Samoa's alignment with Israel, saying at one point that Samoa "stood with Israel."
In remarks reported at the time, Schmidt framed that support in religious terms, saying that if people around the world did not like it, that was up to them, but that Samoa stands with the land of God. He added that there is only one God the country believes in, the God of Israel. Those comments stand in stark contrast to the content of the newly surfaced video.
The apology comes as Schmidt approaches the early months of his tenure as prime minister, a period in which leaders are typically focused on establishing credibility both domestically and on the international stage. The resurfacing of an eighteen-year-old clip highlights how digital records can complicate modern political careers, particularly when the material involves symbols associated with genocide and hate.
For a leader who has emphasised his rejection of extremism, the video presents a reputational challenge. The prime minister's statement appears designed to contain the fallout by framing the incident as a private moment that does not reflect his current views or values. Whether that explanation will satisfy critics at home and abroad remains to be seen.
The Samoa Observer's decision to publish the story has ensured the video has reached a wide audience beyond the original family gathering. Social media has further amplified the clip, turning a private moment from 2007 into a public controversy in 2025.
Schmidt's apology also raises broader questions about accountability and the weight of historical symbols. Nazi salutes and the phrase "Heil Hitler" are widely recognised as expressions of an ideology responsible for the Holocaust, and their use, even in a seemingly informal or joking context, tends to provoke strong reactions.
The prime minister has not disputed the authenticity of the video. Instead, his response has centred on acknowledging the offence it could cause while rejecting the ideology it represents. That dual approach, admitting harm while denying belief, is a common strategy for public figures facing old footage that contradicts their present image.
For Samoa, the episode adds an unexpected dimension to the early phase of Schmidt's leadership. The country's colonial history under Germany, its small size and its leader's unusual combination of Samoan and German roots all make the controversy more layered than a simple political scandal.
The story also underscores the enduring power of visual evidence. A seven-second clip, recorded long before Schmidt entered the highest office in the land, has now become part of the public record of his premiership. How he and his government handle the aftermath will shape perceptions of his leadership in the weeks ahead.
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