Republican jabs Anderson Cooper on CNN and calls topic 'juvenile and beneath this show'
A heated discussion unfolded Thursday on CNN over former President Donald Trump's conspiratorial ally Laura Loomer.
Loomer, a right-wing activist, earned the rare distinction Wednesday of being a MAGA supporter who was too extreme for even firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who called her "racist" over a social media post saying the White House will "smell like curry" if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected.
Loomer has gained notoriety in recent days after she was spotted on Trump's plane Tuesday ahead of his widely panned debate performance in Philadelphia.
She became the topic of discussion on "AC360," with host Anderson Cooper pressing former Republican Rep. Scott Taylor of Virginia on Trump's association with Loomer.
"I just think this is super juvenile, to be honest with you," Taylor told Cooper. "I mean, I've watched [Brian] Stelter on there said, well you know, they get to reward her for this. Look, of course she's being talked about right now. You asked the question, 'Who is Laura Loomer?' I don't know who she is."
Taylor repeated that he feels it's "juvenile," but was cut off by Cooper.
"She's on the former president's plane," noted Cooper.
"Doesn't matter! The way that the program is framing it, the way that Brian is framing it, like these rumors and innuendos — 'I don't know what she's doing on there' — like, what are you talking about? That's not news. I just think it's juvenile and beneath this show, to be honest with you."
"But we're not the ones hanging out with her," Cooper shot back. "Your candidate is the one hanging out with her. And actually listening to her, taking advice from her, and called the vice president a recently turned Black person."
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As Taylor tried to interject over Cooper, unsuccessfully, he insisted no one knows for sure if Trump is taking advice from Loomer.
"How do you know that? Brian doesn't know that," said Taylor.
"She's riding on the plane with him, posting memes that he then talks about and adds dogs into them in the debate!" said Cooper.
But Taylor wasn't convinced. He tried to flip the script on Cooper, and asked whether anyone has espoused "crazy stuff" or "anti-Semitism" on Cooper's show.
"Plenty of that on the left," Taylor shot back. "Have you done the same kind of segment for Kamala? Because there's plenty of examples out there. I just don't — I just find this kind of juvenile to be honest with you."
Cooper kept on the offensive, however, and accused Taylor of trying to "distract from the argument."
"Is it juvenile for the former president to hang out with her and take advice from her?" asked Cooper.
Taylor didn't budge, repeating he didn't know if it was juvenile because he didn't know Loomer.
Former Trump administration communications director Anthony Scaramucci jumped in and said Trump has repeated Loomer's "racist dog whistle" claim questioning Harris' racial identity.
"That's something he's getting from her, and she's lighting matches in his mouth," said Scaramucci.
As Taylor continued dodging the question, Cooper, visibly becoming frustrated, accused Taylor of trying to "deflect."
Watch the full clip below or at this link.