As Donald Trump mingled and posed for photos with firefighters on Wednesday one of many stops to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States a small group of close friends of the former president watched from the sidelines of Fire Department 4 and Fire Department 15 in New York City. The group includes the two most powerful individuals in Trump’s orbit, campaign co-managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles. Standing near them is another figure whose influence on the Republican nominee cannot be ignored: far-right provocateur Laura Loomer.

Of all the days that count Loomer as a companion, September 11th is notable. Last year, she posted a video on social media claiming that the attack on the World Trade Center towers was an “inside job,” an illogical but widespread conspiracy theory that continues to haunt families of victims and survivors. Her anti-Muslim social media posts eventually got her banned from Twitter until billionaire Elon Musk bought the site