Some republicans are pointing the finger at Laura Loomer, a conservative activist who aired the theory to her 1.2 million followers on social media platform X just a day earlier.
Donald Trump’s perplexing claim
But the former US president is now being widely criticised for promoting several falsehoods — from the economy to immigration and abortion.
The rumour had been circulating on the internet and was promoted by Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance (his post on X has attracted more than 11 million views) and Loomer before Trump repeated it in the debate.
Former US president Donald Trump’s claim that immigrants were eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio, brought incredulous laughter from his presidential debate opponent Kamala Harris. Source: Getty / Anadolu
Who is Laura Loomer?
In the video, Loomer claimed the attacks were related to then-US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s announcement of $2.3 trillion in “lost” government funds on 10 September 2001.
Laura Loomer joined Donald Trump at a New York fire station in lower Manhattan to commemorate September 11, despite promoting a false conspiracy that it was “an inside job”. Source: AAP / Matt Rourke
The post misrepresented Rumsfeld’s remarks, which were about a challenge in tracking funds due to outdated technology, and the day before September 11 was not the first time the problem had been discussed.
Her stepped-up presence in the Republican campaign comes as Trump made several staff changes in recent weeks, including bringing back veterans of his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, such as former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
Far-right Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene condemned the post as “racist” on Wednesday, in a sign of division among Trump loyalists.
Loomer also circulated an unfounded allegation that Harris had worn earphones disguised as earrings during the debate.
Is Loomer behind the pet-eating lie?
With additional reporting by the Associated Press
Source Agencies
