Campbell Soup Disavows Lobbyist'S Unverified Claim About Soros

Campbell Soup Company on Tuesday distanced itself from a company lobbyist who circulated a conspiracy theory on Twitter that prominent Democratic donor George Soros' foundation is supporting a caravan of Central American migrants heading toward the U.S. border.

The social media posts from Kelly Johnston, a former top aide to congressional Republicans, comes as President Donald Trump disseminates claims without evidence that the migrant caravan includes "unknown Middle Easterners" and is supported by Democrats. Johnston, the executive vice president of government affairs for Campbell, tweeted on Monday night that Soros' Open Society Foundation "planned and is executing" the migrant caravan, "including where they defecate."

A company spokesperson stated in response: "The opinions Mr. Johnston expresses on Twitter are his individual views and do not represent the position of Campbell Soup Company."

Johnston deleted his Twitter account on Tuesday after his posts drew quick pushback from Open Society, hours after federal law enforcement officials responded to an explosive device found on Soros' property in New York.

"Mr. Johnston, neither Mr. Soros nor Open Society is funding this effort," the foundation's Twitter account responded. "We are surprised to see a @CampbellSoupCo executive spreading false stories. We do support the historic U.S. commitment to welcoming people fleeing oppression and violence in their homelands."

Patrick Gaspard, president of Open Society, tweeted separately to ask where Campbell stands on the "vile, hurtful lies being spread by their VP of Govt Affairs. Words have consequences and we are all complicit when silent in the face of language that inspires hate and motivates violence."

The migrant caravan, according to local reports, has gained members as it moves toward the U.S. border, fueled by unrest and gang activity in Central American nations. Trump has responded by threatening to close the southern border outright and seeks to make the migration a divisive issue ahead of the midterm elections.