Republicans are blaming the influence of right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer for Donald Trump’s failed debate performances this week. Among other things, the former president repeated the bizarre and unsubstantiated claim that domestic cats and dogs were being eaten by Haitian immigrants.

Loomer flew with Trump on his private jet to Tuesday’s debate in Philadelphia and is seen as one of the main spreaders of the pet rumor, which has been dismissed as false by authorities in Springfield, Ohio, where the practice is said to have taken place.

Trump, however, reinforced his position at a moment that has become emblematic of his erratic performance in the debate with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

“They’re eating the dogs, the people that came here, they’re eating the cats,” Trump claimed during a debate segment on immigration. “They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a disgrace.”

When ABC debate moderator David Muir told him the story had been debunked, Trump stood by his claim, saying he saw it “on television.”

The rumor was also spread by JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, who justified his position after the debate.

Nevertheless, Loomer’s alleged role has been scrutinized in the wake of the event. The website Semafor quoted an anonymous source close to Trump’s campaign as saying they were “100%” concerned about Loomer’s influence on the Republican candidate.

“Regardless of the restrictions the Trump campaign has put on her, I don’t think it’s going to work,” the source said.

Trump this year proposed giving Loomer an official role in his campaign, but his staffers opposed the idea.

Loomer, who calls herself an “investigative journalist,” last year promoted a conspiracy theory that 9/11 was an “inside job.” On Wednesday, she posted an unsubstantiated accusation that Harris had worn earbuds disguised as earrings during the debate.

In a sign of resentment among Trump loyalists over her perceived influence, far-right Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia on Wednesday attacked her as “racist” over an earlier post in which she said the White House would smell like curry if Harris — who is of Indian descent — were elected.

“If @KamalaHarris wins, the White House will smell like curry and White House speeches will be routed through a call center, and the American people will only be able to provide their feedback via a customer satisfaction survey at the end of the call that no one will understand,” Loomer wrote.

“This is horrific and extremely racist,” wrote Greene, who has been accused of racism in the past. “It does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA. This does not represent President Trump.”

As Trump continues to claim he “won” Tuesday’s debate despite widespread dissent, strategists are grappling with why he ignored advice in pre-debate sessions to focus on Harris’ policies and record in the Biden administration while resisting her efforts to challenge him.

Dennis Lennox, a Republican consultant, told Semafor that Loomer’s presence was not the only factor affecting Trump’s performance.

“Trump lost the debate because of his performance, or lack thereof,” he said. “That’s what happens when you take a chance, live in the Fox News X bubble, and rely on Matt Gaetz (the far-right Florida congressman who helped prepare the debate), let alone Laura Loomer.”