Conspiracy theorist said to have been key promoter of false rumour about immigrants ex-president repeated in debate
Republicans are blaming the influence of Laura Loomer, a rightwing conspiracy theorist, for this week’s botched debate performance by Donald Trump, which included the former president repeating a bizarre and unfounded claim that pet cats and dogs were being eaten by Haitian immigrants.
Loomer flew with Trump on his private plane to Tuesday’s debate in Philadelphia and has been identified as a key promoter of the pets rumour, which has been dismissed as false by authorities in Springfield, Ohio, where the practice was alleged to have been taking place.
…
Loomer, who styles herself as an “investigative journalist”, last year promoted a conspiracy theory alleging that 9/11 was an”inside job”. On Wednesday she posted an unfounded allegation that Harris had worn earphones disguised as earrings during the debate.
Former Arizona GOP chair Robert Graham told Axios the billboards are a “complete waste of money” because few voters are familiar with the rumors in the first place.
- “When you’re in election time you’re trying to inspire people to vote for your candidate, not make them solve a puzzle,” Graham said. “Republicans have a healthy message, or could have — it’s jobs, opportunity, prosperity, safety. We believe Republican governing principles are the best. We don’t need to put cow suits on the words.”
- Graham, who partially lived in Haiti for 11 years, said he didn’t think most people would find the billboards offensive, though, “I would take offense if I was Haitian, for sure.”
Wow. A GOP using and making sense.
