Donald Trump refuses to denounce Laura Loomer's extremism, calling her a “free spirit” and a “supporter”
Published
Citation From the September 13, 2024, edition of CNN's CNN News Central
REPORTER: [Inaudible] some of your Republican colleagues, or your allies, who are concerned about your close relationship with Laura Loomer.
DONALD TRUMP: Well, I don't know what they would say. Laura's been a supporter of mine, just like a lot of people are supporters, and she's been a supporter of mine. She speaks very positively of the campaign. I'm not sure why you asked that question, but Laura is a supporter. I don't control Laura. Laura has to say what she wants. She's a free spirit. Well, I don't know. I mean, look, I can't tell Laura what to do. Laura is a supporter. I have a lot of supporters, but, so I don't know what exactly you're referring to.
[Inaudible question]
TRUMP: I just don't know. Laura's a supporter. I don't know. She is a strong person. She's got strong opinions, and I don't know what she said, but that's not up to me. She's a supporter.
REPORTER: She was traveling with you on your plane.
TRUMP: OK. A lot of people do. It's a very big plane.
REPORTER: She made racist remarks about your opponent. She also espoused conspiracy theories about 9/11. Do you disavow those remarks?
TRUMP: Well, I have to see what the remarks are. You telling me for the first time. We're here about — we're here discussing the destruction of San Francisco and California by a person that's running for president. So I don't even know what you're talking about. I do know that she may have said something, based on what you're telling me, but I don't know what she said. But I'll go take a look and I'll put out a statement later on. But I really don't know.