Trump doubles down on conspiracy theory and discusses association with Laura Loomer

Former President Donald Trump addressed reporters in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, where he doubled down on his association with far-right activist Laura Loomer and a conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, OH., only to later release a statement distancing himself from Loomer. Catch up on CNN’s coverage:

00:01 CNN’s Kristen Holmes breaks down Trump’s comments to reporters in California.

03:48 CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, Donie O’Sullivan, and Daniel Dale fact-check Trump’s claims.

09:37 CNN’s Alayna Treene describes a statement Trump released after the rally attempting to distance himself from Loomer. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer discusses with his panel.

14:48 CNN’s Erin Burnett speaks with The Bulwark’s Marc Caputo, who describes new reporting about Trump’s relationship with Loomer.

18:26 Burnett speaks with Springfield, Ohio, Mayor Rob Rue about the impact Trump’s statements have made on his town. #CNN #News

[robertgray]

Loomer has more photos with Trump than Melonia . Where's the former first lady or is it loomer now?

[lindamceachern]

If MTG has a problem with Loomer, it's pretty bad. 😂

[imani]

Who else thinks he is “involved” 😏with Laura loomer?

[pheotus]

Do you guys just not get it? The reason he is close to her is because he finds her attractive and she’s using him to get power. It’s not that complicated.

[morpervisions]

Just food or facts for thought, any candidate running for the highest office in America, should be aware of prominent news stories and about the company they keep. Continuing to respond that they don’t know facts, news stories, people’s backgrounds or opinions about important subjects in itself, should be cause for alarm.

[johnny]

*"They're eating the dogs, they're eating the cats"* has to be the most presidential words I've ever heard in a debate. Truly an awe-inspiring moment in American political history.

[jucat]

He seriously has lost his frigging mind..

[montanadan]

Vance, Loomer, Kennedy wow what a team. I bet the Party is so proud.

[hockeyeverything]

It's absolutely mindblowing that anyone would support Trump. He is the definition of unpresidential

[candidaprout]

I can't believe this man is running for the presidency 😮. Is like a car running towards the wall in front of him that he doesn't see. VOTE blue 💙 for Decency and Democracy 💙

[wmlau]

True, Trump has no control over Loomer.but he does have control who he surrounds himself with and who travels with him. Does Trump really think voters are stupid?

[miguelpaul]

Loomer is there to soothe the WOUNDED NARCISSIST. SHE WILL DO ANYTHING TO SOOTHE HIM. WHATEVER IT TAKES

[miguelpaul]

THE IMMIGRANT ESCORT MELANIA HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A DOWNGRADED MODEL

[JVassago]

He said he wanted to deport legal Haitian migrants to Venezuela. And he has the audacity to call others stupid?

[KathrynFrank-mh]

Trump nearly got my brother killed, an australian service member who went to every war the USA asked Australia to go to since 911.
Trump released the Taliban and deligimitised the Afghanistan Government, he withered the forces to 2500 in Afghanistan making it impossible for an Afghan government to thrive and returning it to the terrorists..
My brother was nearly killed, serving just one hour before at the same gate on the day at the Airport where 13 American service men were killed by terrorists.
Trump gave the Taliban a promise of a withdrawal deadline, released their soldiers from prison and invited them back in, giving Biden no choice.
Trump set Biden up to fail and abandoned and endangered America's allies, that's why the whole world hates him.

[Teslawalter]

When MTG talks about Loomer's rhetoric, that's saying something.

[SonNguyen-mpon]

Laws must be established to deal with misinformation, disinformation, or speech that may cause great damage to a mass population. This is not and can't be deemed 'free speech'.

[tomvo]

When has it become acceptable that a person running for President to say "I don't know" as much as TRUMP? Shouldn't he know? He has resources to help him know!

[eileenbland]

Show me who you walk with and I will tell you who ARE.

[robertcras]

He ALWAYS doubles down, he is incapable of saying I was wrong, misinformed or anything along this line.