President Donald Trump s press conference quickly unraveled on Tuesday as he struggled to defend a video hed retweeted that is full of false claims about the coronavirus and complained about his low approval rating.

Reporters asked Trump repeated questions about his continued support for hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment a day after he retweeted several conspiracy theories about the drug. Multiple clinical trials have found hydroxychloroquine is not an effective coronavirus treatment, despite the presidents suggestions to the contrary.

Many doctors think it is extremely successful, Trump claimed when asked about the retweets, adding, I happen to believe in it. I would take it. As you know, I took it for a 14-day period, and Im here. ... Its safe. It doesnt cause problems.

Trump was also forced to answer for a video he retweeted on Monday that showed a group of self-proclaimed medical experts claiming that social distancing and masks were not necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19 and alleging that officials were suppressing the use of hydroxychloroquine for political reasons. The event was hosted and funded by the right-wing nonprofit Tea Party Patriots, which has been organizing projects to promote that narrative.

A reporter pointed out to Trump whod just recently encouraged Americans to wear protective masks (in line with Dr. Anthony Fauci and other real experts in infectious diseases) that one of the main doctors featured in the video is a full-blown conspiracy theorist: Shes also made videos saying that doctors make medicine using DNA from aliens and that theyre trying to create a vaccine to make you immune from becoming religious.

The president all but shrugged his shoulders.