Donald Trump downplayed the importance of right-wing agitator Laura Loomer, who accompanied him on his private plane earlier this week, during a press conference on Friday, describing her to reporters as “a free spirit” who “speaks very positively about the campaign.”

“Laura is a supporter, I have no control over Laura,” Trump said, before claiming he did not notice her inflammatory and racist rhetoric. “Laura is a supporter, I don’t know. She’s a strong person, she has strong opinions and I don’t know what she said, but that’s out of my hands.”

The presence of Loomer, who has twice run for Congress, has drawn increased attention this week – she has a history of openly supporting white nationalism and vicious attacks against political opponents and their families. The Biden administration, along with a handful of prominent Republicans, condemned a recent post by Loomer in which she disparaged Harris’ Indian heritage and said she would make the White House “smell like curry.”

Loomer accompanied Trump to the ABC News debate on Tuesday night and to his 9/11 rallies the following day. She has previously spread conspiracy theories about 9/11 on social media and did so again this week.

Trump, who added that “a lot of people” are traveling with him on his plane, also said he would “look at” what Loomer said and would “make a statement later.” Asked what he thought she brought to the campaign, Trump said Loomer “brings a spirit to us that a lot of people have,” before turning his attention back to the state of California, where he hosted the press conference.