The Associated Press is facing backlash after publishing an interview with Laura Loomer, the far-right activist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, during her visit to Ukraine.

The article quickly drew criticism from journalists, commentators and social media users, many of whom accused the news agency of attempting to “whitewash” one of the US’s most controversial figures.

Loomer has long been one of the most polarising figures in US conservative politics, having repeatedly drawn condemnation for anti-Muslim rhetoric, racist remarks and conspiracy theories.

Hasan Piker, a leftist political influencer, argued that mainstream media would “rehabilitate” someone who made what he called “an opportune pivot” on Ukraine, writing: “I guess you can be an unhinged fascist Islamophobe who’s working closely with the Trump admin… MSM will rehabilitate you without a second thought.”

Journalist Glenn Greenwald described the interview as part of an “instant media rehabilitation” of Laura Loomer, following her support for Ukraine. He compared it to what he said was the media’s changing portrayal of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she backed Kyiv, and questioned whether Loomer’s apparent reversal was linked to reports of Russia supplying Iran with intelligence and weapons, and Ukraine-Iran tensions.