GOP presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, strongly disputed a charge by a former congressional aide that he discussed conspiracy theories about the U.S. government being behind the Sept. 11 attacks, calling the claims "nonsense" and "off-the-wall."

Long-time Paul campaign and congressional aide Eric Dondero recently wrote a statement on the website RightWingNews.com saying that after the Sept. 11 attacks, Paul "engaged in conspiracy theories including perhaps the attacks were coordinated with the CIA, and that the Bush administration might have known about the attacks ahead of time."

When I asked Paul about the claim this morning on "This Week," he immediately responded, "Now, wait, wait, wait, wait. Don't - don't go any further on that. That's complete nonsense."

"I never bought into that stuff. I never talked about it," Paul added. "About the conspiracy of Bush - of Bush knowing about this? No, no, come on. Come on. Let's be reasonable… That's just off-the-wall."

Full Exchange:

TAPPER: One of your former close aides recently said that you, quote, "engaged in conspiracy theories, including perhaps the 9/11 attacks were coordinated with the CIA, and that the Bush administration might have known about the attacks ahead of time."  So have you ever expressed in front of anyone…

PAUL:  Now, wait, wait, wait, wait.  Don't - don't go any further on that.  That's complete nonsense.

TAPPER:  It's nonsense?

PAUL:  Just stop that.

(CROSSTALK)

TAPPER:  Not true?

PAUL:  Yeah, no.  I did not - I never bought into that stuff.  I never talked about it.

TAPPER:  OK.

PAUL:  About the conspiracy of Bush - of Bush knowing about this?  No, no, come on.  Come on.  Let's be reasonable.

TAPPER:  OK.

PAUL:  That's just off-the-wall.