Donald Trump keeps pushing "birther" claims

Donald Trump on Sept. 23, 2010, at Yankee Stadium in New York.

/ Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Updated 6:08 p.m. Eastern Time

Donald Trump on Monday again espoused a "birther"-style suspicion regarding whether President Obama was born in the United States, telling Fox News he was "really concerned" about Obama's citizenship, and adding that "I'm starting to wonder myself whether or not [Obama] was born in this country."

Trump, who has in recent months been openly (if somewhat dubiously) toying with a presidential bid, also brought up the birther issue on a recent episode of "The View," where he tussled with co-host Whoopi Goldberg over his call for Mr. Obama to produce his birth certificate.

And he said earlier this month that "The reason I have a little doubt, just a little, is because he grew up and nobody knew him."

"If I got the nomination, if I decide to run, you may go back and interview people from my kindergarten. They'll remember me. Nobody comes forward. Nobody knows who he is until later in his life. It's very strange," he said. The comments came despite the existence of numerous, easy-to-find interviews with people from Mr. Obama's childhood.

In a Monday interview on the Fox News show "Fox & Friends," Trump said that in the days since he initially raised doubt over Obama's origins, "a lot of facts are emerging, and I am starting to wonder myself whether he was born in this country."

"They give you a certificate of live birth which anybody can get. Just walk into the hospital. This guy either has a birth certificate or he doesn't. I didn't think it was such a big deal, but I will tell you, it is turning out to be a very big deal," Trump said. "People are calling me from all over saying please don't give up on this issue. If you weren't born in this country, you cannot be President."

Trump went on to claim that, "You have no doctors that remember, you have no nurses -- this is the President of the United States -- that remember. Why can't he produce a birth certificate?"

Trump's comments conflict with reality in a number of ways. For starters, he seems to suggest that Mr. Obama has not put out his certificate of live birth, the document provided by the state of Hawaii when a birth certificate is requested. Yet Mr. Obama's campaign released a copy of his birth certificate in 2008, and it has been publicly available ever since.

Experts have also verified the authenticity of Mr. Obama's birth certificate, and disputes over his citizenship have been thoroughly debunked by a number of experts and journalists. Like many birthers, Trump has apparently chosen to simply disregard the overwhelming evidence that Mr. Obama was born in the United States, including newspaper announcements of his birth.

During the Fox interview, Trump stood up for his fellow birthers -- after noting that he "was a great student at the best college in the country."

"I don't like the term 'the birthers.' I think it's unfair to them," he said. "These are people that want to see a birth certificate. They want to know the president was born here."

Also on Monday, Trump released what he said is his birth certificate to Newsmax. "It took me one hour to get my birth certificate. It's inconceivable that after four years of questioning, the President still hasn't produced his birth certificate," he said. "I'm just asking President Obama to show the public his birth certificate. Why's he making an issue out of this?"

As the Smoking Gun notes, however, "the document is not an official New York City birth certificate, but rather a document generated by Jamaica Hospital, where Trump's mother Mary reportedly gave birth in June 1946. Official birth certificates are issued (and maintained) by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Office of Vital Records."

[arekayes]

this is absolutely a complete waste of time. what in the same lleh is going on folks?! have we all completely lost it when we can't logically discriminate right from wrong. we have people dying, people starving, not to mention OBVIOUS changes to our environment that we should really be spending our time being concerned about. its painful to watch tv or read a newspaper anymore. caring for one another and our environment is what is important. respecting our boundaries with understanding that the preservation or life is what is important- not one belief system or thought or practice. IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP FOLKS. Donald Trump should be ashamed of himself, he is really starting to look like a poor sport. Trump is a man of intelligence and I just don't understand what's going on with this guy lately. we are in a sad state of affairs when we find it more entertaining to have debates on the internet and bash each other over COMPLETE NONSENSE! Uh don't you have something better you could be doing in your community in your own little world to help make this big large world a better place? this is a message to the whole world. lets stop wasting time with nonsense. you do not have to be a genius to figure out what that nonsense is. making the world a better place for everyone should be a priority, for every single person on this freaking planet. stop all the damn fighting and waring over beliefs and territory and such. lets leave the world a better place of our generations to come. stop being so nmad selfish and think past yourself for once. every single one of us needs to do this. lets start investing our time and money and resources into improving the standard for everyone so we can all live good. period. why is that such a bad thing? the harder you work the more you get. look at moguls like trump. well i am going to remain positive about all of this, and hope these same type of time wasting decisions, that hold no universal weight, are not for the BETTERMENT of the world, is not the reason we all die cause some poor sport got his ego crushed and blows us all up. we have no need for secrecy anymore if we aren't fighting each other. lets prepare for something from the outside or in our environment. we spend more time figuring out how to take lives and we have more and more ways to kill billions and don't have enough to save just one from cancer? something is wrong there. i could go on for days. you know exactly what i mean too. WAKE UP and GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER. Every single mnad ONE OF YOU!

[katthyc]

How dare Donald Trump of all people challenge the ethics of the United States President, our intelligence agencies and the individual State of Hawaii that vetted him? In other words, he is saying that our system of intelligence has failed and that the American people should doubt the sincerity of our government. Is this not unpatriotic? Do he and the birthers believe in America as I and most others do? I believe in our system of intelligence's ability to carry out its functions. I believe in their honesty, integrity and job to uphold our constitution while maintaining national security. If it is true what he is claiming we are all doomed.

Let us all remember that the information gathered allowing Barack Obama to pursue the Office of President was done under our former president and not Obama himself. If there is any breakdown in protocol, it was under the staffing of our former Republican President, Mister George W. Bush.

OMG he has made "birthers" a household name. I remember the last time he made a household name - "what a debacle"

[Deane63]

The many questions about President Obama's birth is extremely troubling. I believe that it undermines our national intelligence and security. How are terrorist nations suppose to take the USA seriously, or how can Americans feel safe, if Homeland Security, the FBI, the CIA, and all of the other intelligence agencies of America could not track down the birth of one Black man?

[Dogtired22]

As the good Doctor we know , Phil would say: " People who have nothing to hide. Hide nothing" Again this is about FOIA and the rules of law. Not about race, it is about the content of Character.

[Dogtired22]

It makes sense since to me that Donald Trump is asking that question. I did not see Obama's birth certificate either. Was told about it. However, when I went to the DMV in Reno, Nevada to change my license from Hawaii to Nevada, I had to acquire and bring with me, a copy of my birth certificate. Even though I have a military ID, I was told that was not good enough. Even though since 1996, I have been listed with the VA , and have a VA ID too as a disabled veteran. Is the President above the laws? I re-call Dwight Eisenhower was asked; If he were a Republican or Democrat. His response was , He was an American. I find it odd that it is demanded of the citizens of the United States , like myself a 100%, Disabled veteran that we have to follow the law. Personally having lived in Hawaii I have to agree with Donald Trump. Look into how many monopolies exist on Oahu. Look at how they run their politics there. There is a high level of corruption on that island that journalist are to afraid to report. I did state that as a United States Senator one would think that the FBI did a back ground check on President Obama since he would have access to sensitive materials that would relate to National Security. In that light I find this all quite amusing. But, At the same time, I do agree since we are talking about someone having autonomy with, the worlds strongest military forces and Nuclear weapons at their disposal; that this nation should take every caution, and ensure the people this person is what they claim to be. Since Obama himself has said he was born in Kenya... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwhKuunp8D8&feature=player_embedded

[mick7744]

by JV1970


"What I did say is IF Palin did lie about Trig's parentage that is not against the law. Therefore she has NOT committed a crime even IF she lied and is NOT a criminal!"

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WRONG AGAIN...JV1970...

Having no less of a universally acknowledged authority on all things Palin than the infamous JV1970...even ADMIT...that the possibility exists in her own Palinista-deranged mind that the woman committed a fraud with her phoney pregnancy and completely unrecorded and unconfirmed "delivery" is a victory indeed!

But the fact that you would still insist on seeing those criminal offenses as, "A patriotic, Christian, American mother defending her family...and NOT as an insanely ambitious charlatan frantically trying to keep her VP nomination hopes alive...is immaterial!

This is not a question of poor Bristol Palin actually having TWICE the number of illegitimate children than has thus far been declared...but about the criminal, unconscionable acts that Sarah Palin has committed to conceal that politically damaging fact.


It's a question for a judge and jury...and her own exploited and misused family!

[mick7744]

And BTW, JV1970...

"You can't stand to lose an argument, especially to a WOMAN!"

That is completely untrue, JV1970...in 32 happy years of marriage, I lost many an argument to a woman who seemed to think that a Masters degree and one lousy doctorate somehow made her smarter than me...

But I didn't lose EVERY argument.

In my entire life...I have feared no man...annd only one woman!

[mick7744]

And JV1970...

A retired NYPD homicide detective I worked with years ago...a pretty cynical guy, once told me, "Kid...you'll be all right when you learn two things..."

"ONE...Nobody out there can stand a real toss" (meaning that we all have things we would want kept hidden from public or official view)

"And TWO...This world is full of wh*res...and most of 'em are MEN!"

That pretty much sums up both Palin and Trump...

[JV1970]

You lost this argument! You might as well admit it and stop trying to turn this argument around on me! It won't work! You lost! You might as well admit defeat and accept it! Also I'm still waiting to see that birth certificate that I dared you to show me!

[mick7744]

It doesn't bother me IF she lied about Trig's parentage because IT'S NOBODY'S BUSINESS! The circumstances surrounding Trig's birth is strictly Palin family business and NO ONE ELSE'S! According to the laws of this country she hasn't committed a crime! The only "crime" she's committed is in your little pea sized brain!

Whether or not Trig Palin was actually born to Sarah, or IF she lied about him, has no bearing on the well being of this country or any affect on on your life at all and wouldn't have even if Sarah is elected president! Therefore, his parentage has nothing at all to do with you and is, I repeat, NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

****************************************

AT LAST!

Thank you for finally making my case JV1970...but this doesn't mean that I won't continue to respond to EVERY hypocritical "birther" demand from you about President Obama's birth with a counter-demand for one about Trig's...

You seem to think that Palin is only guilty of bad acting and being too lazy to even put on the padding and even PRETEND to be a full day in labor on a 14 hour trip to a facility not even accredited to deliver twins...

Were Palin to be found guilty of all the FELONIES that you just admitted to, JV1970...she would have to live to be well past 100 before being released...with the MINIMUM sentence being applied to each guilty count.

So much for, "According to the laws of this country she hasn't committed a crime!"

I realize that you haven't made this admission of Palin's duplicity in a sudden uncontrollable burst of "Christian" truthfulness, JV1970...but because an unstable individual like yourself will always act against their own self-interest (or that of their cause) when sufficiently provoked. You're pretty easy to bait and draw out, JV1970...

But I think you should have checked with Palin Central before proclaiming that, "It doesn't bother me IF she lied about Trig's parentage because IT'S NOBODY'S BUSINESS!

In you twisted, convoluted mind, you decided that being a "patriotic, Christian, American mother defending her family (cue the schmaltzy music) absolves her of any and all crimes...IT DOES NOT...or would not, if it were even true

Her entire rise to prominence...the VP nomination...the resulting book deals and FoxNews. contract...all of it stems from this vile, criminal lie that had NOTHING to do with protecting anyone or anything other than Sarah Palin's own insane ambition!

You are one sick puppy, JV1970...but thanks for finally coming clean...

[JV1970]

You must be reading or comprehensionally challenged because I didn't "admit" to anything! I didn't have anything to "admit" to because I'm right! I also didn't say that Palin is guilty of anything! You are reading more into my comment than what's there! I always say exactly what I mean and no where in my comment did I admit to anything and neither did I say that Palin is guilty of anything and neither do I believe that she is! What I did say is IF Palin did lie about Trig's parentage that is not against the law. Therefore she has NOT committed a crime even IF she lied and is NOT a criminal!

[mick7744]

JV1970 March 30, 2011 7:20 PM EDT
mick7744 Obama knows many people in high places. He has also never been a poor man since he has been an adult. When you know certain people in high places and you have money you can get many things done that you want done and have many things hidden

*****************************************

So what you are saying in essence, JV1970...

Is that it would make not an iota a difference to you WHAT proof is offered as it's bound to be fake anyway...IT'S A CONSPIRACY!

Then why the hell are you wasting everyone's time by mindlessly demanding "proof" when you're already convinced that ANYTHING submitted will be bogus anyway?

*****************************************

And since you insist on running your mouth on "birther" topics...What about Sarah Palin's obviously phoney pregnancy and her OTHER bastard grandchild, you hypocritical nut-job?

Oh right...It's OK for you to go after Presidnt Obama this way...but any questions about Palin's crimes and deceptions is NONE OF MY BUSINESS!

There has never been a single record to prove that Trig Palin was EVER BORN...to ANYONE...

And you babble on about demanding, "Certified, registered PROOF with the state seal on it"

The child allegedly born to the then-governor of Alaska has absolutely no documented evidence of his very existance...let alone his parentage...

But that's just fine with you...it's no one's business...right?

[JV1970]

That IS NOT what I said! I challenged you to show me a certified, registered birth certificate that's all! You can't and that's what you can't stand! You can't stand to lose an argument, especially to a WOMAN!

It doesn't bother me IF she lied about Trig's parentage because IT'S NOBODY'S BUSINESS! The circumstances surrounding Trig's birth is strictly Palin family business and NO ONE ELSE'S! According to the laws of this country she hasn't committed a crime! The only "crime" she's committed is in your little pea sized brain!

Whether or not Trig Palin was actually born to Sarah, or IF she lied about him, has no bearing on the well being of this country or any affect on on your life at all and wouldn't have even if Sarah is elected president! Therefore, his parentage has nothing at all to do with you and is, I repeat, NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

Barack Obama, however, is another matter because if he lied about his place of birth then legally for the last 2 1/2 years we haven't had a president and that affects every US citizen! There is no way you can get around that and therefore there is no comparison between his birth and Trig Palin's because if he lied it DOES affect us and if Sarah lied it doesn't! Also Trig is a little handicapped boy who will never be president! You keep trying to compare whatever lie Sarah might have told about his birth to the lie that Obama might have told about his birth place but THERE IS NO COMPARISON because, I repeat, one affects us and the other one doesn't!

You might as well give it up because you can't prove your claim anyway!

[mick7744]

JV1970 March 30, 2011 6:45 PM EDT
He isn't such a "maroon" that he didn't learn the secret of becoming rich! That's a secret you and I have yet to learn!

*********************************


Trump has learned the same secret of acquiring wealth that Sarah Palin learned, JV1970...

Dazzle the suckers with catch phrases,emotion-provoking platitudes and buzzwords...

For Palin...that's including words like, honor...patriotism...God...loyalty, and all the other Palinspeak that send teabaggers and radical bible-thumping "Christians" to spasms of ecstasy.

For Trump...it's simply the promise of huge profits...and perhaps the hint of a possible invite to a party at the Playboy mansion

But they will BOTH strive to take the marks for every nickle they possibly can before abandoning those who foolishly put their faith in them by...

(a) Declaring bankruptcy and walking away from billions owed to investors, contractors and suppliers. Trump has done that...then again...and yet again, or...

(b) Resign from office to cash in on her 15 minutes of fame (and to duck still- pending ethics charges) and later, to establish a PAC for the Palin sheep to be sheared by until she "retires from politics because people are so mean to me" or some such nonsense and makes off with all the swag.

Sarah Palin has squeezed every penny out of every job she's ever quit (just ask the officials in Alaska who are STILL trying to figure out her sci-fi expense claims)

For that reason, she will NOT give up her FoxNews gig to run for president. She'll hang on, until her ever-stupider gaffs and divisive ranting forces them to dump her...as they eventually will when her polarizing ways begin to offend even right-wing radicals of every stripe as they realize that she's only pro Sarah Palin...with everything else being secondary but negotiable.

She is now making enemies at a much faster rate than she's making money

Only someone such as yourself could find their self-absorbed, looting proclivities to be an admirable trait, JV1970...and actually try to defend it...

Sarah and Donald are true believers in the "Greed is Good" philosophy...or is that now referred to as the "Greed is Good" religion?

[JV1970]

This just shows what an IDIOT you are!

[mick7744]

How?