Donald Trump Flirts With ‘Birtherism’

Matt K. Lewis Senior Contributor
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On Thursday’s “Good Morning America,” Donald Trump questioned whether or not President Obama was born in the United States, and pushed back on the notion that others who question President Obama’s birthplace are idiots.

Regarding questions surrounding Obama’s birth, Trump said:

Everybody that even gives any hint of being a birther…they label them as an idiot.  Let me tell you, I’m a really smart guy.  I was a really good student at the best school in the country.  The reason I have a little doubt — just a little — is because he grew up and nobody knew him.  …Nobody knows who he is until later in his life.  It’s very strange. The whole thing is very strange.

Who knows what impact this might have for Trump’s possible electoral fortunes.  Maybe it helps with some conservatives?  As The Right Scoop noted, “If Trump is willing to be this honest on an issue that has become so politically toxic that it can kill a campaign, that may say something about his character.”

If Trump is the only candidate willing to take this position, does that give him a constituency?

My guess is this hurts Obama more than it helps Trump, because what this may do is ultimately help “mainstream” birtherism, and provide cover for others who hold this viewpoint, but don’t want to be viewed as “fringe”.  After all, Trump is not viewed as being some right wing “kook.”

Watch the full interview, via ABC.  Mediaite has more.

Matt K. Lewis