Speaking at an Axios event Thursday, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich disavowed the right-wing conspiracies that have suggested the explosives sent to prominent Democrats are part of an elaborate "false flag" operation by the left.

The big picture: Asked by Axios' Mike Allen why the right seems to fall for these conspiracy, Gingrich responded, "Because it's October." Gingrich also said that while he doesn't think the president's attacks on the press are helpful, they have earned the label of "enemy of the people," pointing specifically to CNN International as an "anti-American" media outlet.