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Donald Trump told a rally in Iowa on Friday that he “loves babies,” after being criticized for asking a screaming baby to leave a rally this week.

Trump said in Iowa Friday that the press misrepresented his comments, calling the coverage “so dishonest.”

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“I don’t throw babies out. I love babies,” Trump said.

When the baby cried at a campaign stop in Virginia on Tuesday, Trump initially said, “Don’t worry about that baby.” But as the crying continued, Trump said “Actually, I was just kidding. You can get that baby out of here.”

Trump said Friday that everyone at the event was laughing and having a good time. He joked that the crying hit operatic levels. “We can take that baby to training school and it will be the next great Pavarotti,” he said.

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WATCH: Trump kicks crying baby out of rally

0:53 Trump kicks crying baby out of rally Trump kicks crying baby out of rally

Trump then transitioned to a new message for reluctant voters:

“If you don’t like me. That’s OK,” he told the crowd in Des Moines, Iowa. “Vote for Pence because it’s the same thing.”

Trump was referring to his running mate, Mike Pence, the conservative governor of Indiana.