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After promoting conspiracy theory, Trump concedes that President Obama was born in U.S.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke during a campaign event at Trump International Hotel, today, in Washington.

WASHINGTON » After five years as the chief promoter of the false idea that Barack Obama wasn’t born in the United States, Donald Trump reversed course and admitted today that the president was — and then claimed credit for putting the issue to rest.

“President Barack Obama was born in the United States, period,” Trump said in a brief statement read at the end of a campaign appearance. “Now we all want to get back to making America strong and great again.”

But as Trump sought to put that false conspiracy theory to rest, he stoked another, claiming that the “birther movement” was started by rival Hillary Clinton. There is no evidence that that is true.

“Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy. I finished it,” Trump said. “I finished it, you know what I mean.”

While the birther theory was pushed by some bloggers who backed Clinton’s primary campaign against Obama eight years ago, Clinton has long denounced what she’s called a “racist lie” that sought to “delegitimize America’s first black president.”

“Leading the birther movement is deplorable,” Clinton tweeted after his event today. “Attempting to say it ‘did a great service’ to the president who Trump attacked is asinine.”

Trump’s statement, in a sprawling ballroom at his new Washington hotel, lasted only a few seconds following a lengthy campaign event featuring military officers and award winners who have endorsed him. Trump did not address the issue until the end, turning the event into a de facto commercial for his campaign, as the major cable TV networks aired the full event live in anticipation of comments Trump had hyped hours before.

“I’m going to be making a major statement on this whole thing and what Hillary did,” he told the Fox Business Network. “We have to keep the suspense going, OK?”

For years, Trump has been the most prominent proponent of the “birther” idea. He used the issue to build his political profile and define his status as an “outsider” willing to challenge conventions.

He generally avoided the issue during the GOP primary, and today marked the first time he said in no uncertain terms he was mistaken.

As late as Wednesday, Trump refused to acknowledge Obama was born in Hawaii, declining to address the matter in a Washington Post interview published late Thursday night.

“I’ll answer that question at the right time,” Trump said. “I just don’t want to answer it yet.”

Clinton seized on Trump’s refusal during a speech Thursday night.

“This man wants to be our next president? When will he stop this ugliness, this bigotry?” she asked.

Hours later, Trump’s campaign spokesman Jason Miller issued a statement that suggested the question had been settled five years ago — by Trump.

“In 2011, Mr. Trump was finally able to bring this ugly incident to its conclusion by successfully compelling President Obama to release his birth certificate,” Miller said.

“Mr. Trump did a great service to the president and the country by bringing closure to the issue that Hillary Clinton and her team first raised,” he added.

The facts of Trump’s actions do not match Miller’s description. Trump repeatedly questioned Obama’s birth in the years after Obama released his birth certificate. In August 2012, for example, he was pushing the issue on Twitter.

“An ‘extremely credible source’ has called my office and told me that @BarackObama’s birth certificate is a fraud,” he wrote.

Even in January of this year, Trump sounded skeptical when asked whether he now believed the president was a natural-born citizen.

“Who knows? Who cares right now? We’re talking about something else, OK?” Trump said in a CNN interview. “I mean, I have my own theory on Obama. Someday I’ll write a book.”

Trump’s reversal comes as he works to win over African-American voters — many of whom have been turned off by his attempt to delegitimize the nation’s first black president.

Obama took the unprecedented step of releasing his long form birth certificate in 2011, amid persistent questions from Trump.

On the day he released the document, Obama jabbed at Trump, saying, “We’re not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers.”

The president today added that he hoped the election would focus on more serious issues, and that he “was pretty confident about where I was born.”

After Trump’s event, the GOP nominee invited photographers and a camera on a tour of his new hotel property, without reporters present.

Meanwhile, the backdrop of blue curtains that Trump had spoken in front of collapsed, toppling a row of American flags like dominoes.

Associated Press writers Ken Thomas and Josh Lederman contributed to this report.

182 responses to “After promoting conspiracy theory, Trump concedes that President Obama was born in U.S.”

  1. krusha says:

    Trump is a freaking joke. Everything that comes out of his mouth is all for show and even he probably is surprised that he has gotten away with this charade for so long taking the American public for a ride.

    • Keonigohan says:

      Thanks to hiLIARy who was the one who was the FIRST to bring it up against O in their 08 Dem campaigns. “Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy. I finished it,” Trump said. “I finished it, you know what I mean.”
      Why does hiLIARy keep bringing it up and slandering O..she should THANK the Donald for closing the issue.

      • aaronavilla says:

        try harder.

        • Keonigohan says:

          “New analysis from the Washington Post removes any doubt that the anti-Obama Birther movement was started in 2007 and 2008 by Hillary Clinton, her campaign, and her Democrat supporters.”
          Hard enough?

        • Boots says:

          Keonigohan, liar liar pants on fire. lol

          http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/sep/16/donald-trump/fact-checking-donald-trumps-claim-hillary-clinton-/

          Our ruling

          Trump said, “Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy.”

          There is no evidence to support this. Clinton supporters circulated the rumor in the last days of the 2008 Democratic primary and after Clinton had concede to Obama. But the record does not show Clinton or her campaign ever promoting the birther theory, let alone starting it.

          We rate Trump’s claim False.

          https://www.sharethefacts.co/share/db282444-4321-4d57-a61b-9236bb33bd04

          You are Busted!

        • klastri says:

          Keonigohan – You’re lying, of course. As usual. Today’s Washington Post totally debunks your ridiculous lie.

          “This is not the first time that Trump has accused Clinton of first raising questions about Obama’s birthplace, an assertion that has been repeatedly disproved by fact-checkers who found no evidence that Clinton or her campaign questioned Obama’s birth certificate or his citizenship.”

          Are you simply incapable of being truthful about anything?

        • klastri says:

          Keonigohan – Except that the Washington Post, in the headline news story, writes exactly the opposite. They totally debunk Mr. Trump’s (and your) ridiculous falsehood.

          You simply cannot be truthful about anything. Nothing.

        • bsdetection says:

          Keonigohan’s unsourced quote, claiming that the Washington Post “removes any doubt that the anti-Obama Birther movement was started in 2007 and 2008 by Hillary Clinton” is from fact-free rightwing conspiracy websites, not the Washington Post. Ironically, this lie originated with Ted Cruz, who should have thought for a moment of the adage about people who live in glass houses. His racist lie was repeated for 5 years by Trump. For a thorough debunking of this nonsense, see:
          http://www.factcheck.org/2015/07/was-hillary-clinton-the-original-birther/

        • bsdetection says:

          Unlike Keonigohan’s bogus quotation, here’s an actual headline from a Washington Post article published in September 2015″ “Republicans are blaming Hillary Clinton for the ‘birther’ movement. That’s wishful thinking.”

          and, for those of you who prefer fact to fiction, here’s a link to the article:
          https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/23/republicans-are-blaming-hillary-clinton-for-the-birther-movement-thats-wishful-thinking/

        • Keonigohan says:

          bs..you need to check deeper.

        • klastri says:

          Keonigohan – No, he doesn’t. You made up the whole thing. Like you always do. Always.

        • Keonigohan says:

          Federal Judge Klastri appointed by GW BUsh…are you still telling this whopper to whoever listens to you? Can you prove it?

        • stanislous says:

          Any private citizen is free to “speculate” on President Obamas birth place.. That speculation was way before Trump announce his run for president. Only now that Hillary Clintons numbers are dropping like a hot rock do the Democrats bring up the “Birther” speculation from years ago. The democrats are running around like their hair is on fire they are so panicked that Trump may actually have a chance of becoming president. LOL LOL LOL

        • aaronavilla says:

          Keoni, you can’t cut and paste a paragraph from something on Breitbart and call that “trying hard”. Try harder, bro.

        • Keonigohan says:

          @arronavilla…see hawaiikone’s post which has a link…get informed please…don’t be like klastri, cellodad, bsdetection.

        • AhiPoke says:

          Who cares where Obama was born. I believe he was born in Hawaii but he’s still the worse president in my lifetime. He came in with so much hope then he went about to divide our country. Look at all the posts here, so divided.

        • kuroiwaj says:

          IRT Klastri, check Patti Solis Doyle 2008 Clinton Campaign Chairman explaining to Wolf Blitzer on CNN this morning that a staffer in Iowa back in December 2007, sent out email messages on the Obama birther question. Ms Clinton was then informed and had the staffer in Iowa fired. Ms Doyle then called Mr. Plouffe, Chairman of the 2008 Obama Campaign to apologize on sending out the birther messages. I believe the birther issue began with the 2008 Clinton Campaign.

        • sarge22 says:

          Where is the doctor that delivered the baby? Surely he must know where Obama was born. Do they keep records in Kenya. Boring day. Who’s on first?

        • klastri says:

          Keonigohan – You made up some kind of fake confusion about me with someone on a “TV website” as you put it, and you use that to change the subject whenever you are caught in a lie. Which is every day. You lie constantly, about everything. Everything.

          There is nothing worse than a liar. Nothing is below them. Nothing. You prove it.

      • Cellodad says:

        WaPo said no such thing. This is what the Post said: “…an assertion that has been repeatedly disproved by fact-checkers who found no evidence that Clinton or her campaign questioned Obama’s birth certificate or his citizenship.”

        • Keonigohan says:

          Your students tell you that? hmmmm

        • klastri says:

          You’re correct of course. He is unable to be truthful about anything. Anything.

        • Keonigohan says:

          Federal Judge Klastri appointed by GW Bush..how you doing? Still lying are you?

        • hawaiikone says:

          “http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/sep/23/donald-trump/hillary-clinton-obama-birther-fact-check/”. Hillary had months to publicly deny the allegation started by her campaign, yet said nothing until she lost the nomination. Silence in this situation implies tacit agreement. As usual, the truth seems to lie somewhere between the outcries of political opponents. The nastiness continues…

        • Keonigohan says:

          @hawaiikone…Mahalo.
          Uninformed liberals like Klastri, cellodad, bsdetection, boots etc. always have to have informed responsible citizens such as yourself do the legwork for the darn lazy liberals!

        • hawaiikone says:

          Keoni, my overriding concern is in not allowing one side to overwhelm the other. As the volleys descend, voting decisions are contemplated, making it critical to return fire. As long as two thirds of the nation’s voters remain disenchanted with the two party offerings, Gary Johnson cannot be counted out. Voting against someone by suppressing personal revulsion is a sad way to elect a president.

        • Allaha says:

          The whole confusion came about because Barry had to grow up with his grandparents without a father like the majority of black or black- mixed children. Their black fathers run away from responsibility. His father ran away to Africa .

        • Keonigohan says:

          hawaiikone..point well taken. Bottom line..this will be a helluva election and imho THE most important one in decades. Hope America gets it right.

        • Cellodad says:

          I am pleased however and though it took a long time, to see Mr. Trump do the right thing and in an unequivocal manner. Good for him.

        • klastri says:

          Allaha – And in walks the genius.

      • JustBobF says:

        >>>hiLIARy

        Oh, that’s so clever! Did you think of it?

        I must think of something for your name, too!

        • sarge22 says:

          The name fits her, wear it. She has earned it.

        • hawaiikone says:

          I’m sure then that you’re also an admirer of such clever monikers as “Clump”, “Drump”, and several others of a similar vein. The objectivity around here is breathtaking…

      • HawaiiCheeseBall says:

        Keonigohan,from the Washington post – written by the same author who is quoted in the bogus news article you point to in your post. Sorry Chump is lying again and only fools believe him.

        “The whole birther thing was started by the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2008 against Barack Obama,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) confidently told Yahoo News this summer.

        The problem: This is simply not true. Clinton’s campaign, one of the most thoroughly dissected in modern history, never raised questions about the future president’s citizenship. The idea that it did is based largely on a series of disconnected actions by supporters of Clinton, mostly in the months between Obama’s reaction to the Jeremiah Wright story and the Democratic National Convention. I know, because I spent/wasted quite a lot of time covering this stuff.

      • wkama says:

        So you still think that Obama was not born in Hawaii? Trump has a nasty habit of turning things around and blaming others for his stupid statements.

    • Pocho says:

      hahahahaha, Hillary’s supporters started it in 2008, WHY didn’t Hillary come out denouncing the birther report and back up Obama back then? Selective thinking process hahahahaha. It’s the same as putting the question in front of TheDonald, why didn’t he denounce David Duke KKK?

      • Pocho says:

        The Media is in Bed with the Democrats, they rushed to judgement just like Barrack Obama. The StarAdvertiser is one of the Media biting and publishing LIES! What happened to the Media that’d investigate incidences before publication?

        • peanutgallery says:

          Not going to happen. Clinton doensn’t even need to campaign. The media does it for her. American media has become an absolute laughing stock.

    • wave1 says:

      Don’t you think your comment applies to 99.9999% of the politicians?

    • Ikefromeli says:

      Agreed Krusha…..

    • allie says:

      totally agree. Trump is a total shibai artist. He is playing ignorant people in America and laughing his way to the bank.

    • allie says:

      What is sad is how easily Trump, with the help of Fox News, was able to dupe the millions of ignorant and uneducated people in America. The attempt was a racist one to delegitimize an American president and to spread hatred and chaos. The media better start questioning Trump. He has been treated to soft glove treatment as he is such an entertainer and TV loves him as a big hoax. Trouble is, he is actually running for President.

      • sarge22 says:

        Trump moving up in the polls.”The media better start questioning Trump” You have to be kidding or you must one of the sheep? HiLIARy is in panic mode and the classified emails and crooked Clinton Foundation just won’t go away. Bye bye Hilly, Wiki Wiki Don’t forget to take your meds.

        • Cellodad says:

          and then there’s the Trump foundation. I have to hand it to a guy who figures out how to make others pay for his charitable giving. I wonder if that shows up on the mythical tax returns?

        • Cellodad says:

          You know “sarge” I doubt you really are. Most of the S’arnts I’ve known are really sensible and practical. I’ve always depended upon their good judgement. I’ll ask you again, what do you think about the Trump Foundation?

    • MillionMonkeys says:

      “Top News: After promoting conspiracy theory, Trump concedes that President Obama was born in U.S.”

      The title should be rewritten: “Trump finally concedes that he’s been promoting a dementia-driven conspiracy theory for the past FIVE years”

  2. st1d says:

    “Clinton said: There is no erasing it in history.”

    the female felon’s history: she remains an insatiably greedy congenital liar operating a multi-billion dollar criminal money laundering slush fund. in her tenure as secretary of state she left classified information vulnerable to hackers, emboldened china, iran, north korea and russia to pursue expansion of their militaries and borders, failed to provide adequate security for the american embassy in lybia which was then attacked by islamic terrorists.

    benghazi was the result of obama’s and the female felon’s insistence on inciting and backing regime change in lybia no matter what the cost and without transition plans for the government of lybia once gadafi was removed. further, weeks after the benghazi incident obama and the female felon continued their complicit use of the video to coverup their incompetence in regime change and the failures of their mid-east policies.

    that’s the history of failures in experience and judgement the female felon promises will continue if she is elected president.

    • Boots says:

      Not a Hillary supporter but Benghazi never would have happened if not for the total incompetence of your hero G W Bush and the republican party. Have to laugh at your concern about failed regime changes in the Obama administration while ignoring the utter failure of the GW administration who started this history of regime change. Sad and pathetic.

      At least with Hillary, she is open to debate while the Donald is pretty set in his ways. With the people now behind Hillary, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, pressure will be kept on her to keep her hawkish ways under control. The Donald, although initially I felt was ahead on this issue, is willing to start WWIII if someone gives the finger to a destroyer. Grow up Donald and take a chill pill.

      • Pocho says:

        you know what, Hillary stood in front of a mike and people saying she landed in Bosnia under Shiper Fire! Yikes! She deserves a Blue Ribbon having to go thru that

        • Boots says:

          Not going to defend Hillary but at least she doesn’t stiff young girls. The Donald obviously has Zero ethics.

        • NanakuliBoss says:

          So true seaborn. Republican led legislators.

        • Keonigohan says:

          Boots…
          Flight logs obtained by Gawker in January 2015 put Mr. Clinton on the billionaire’s infamous jet more than a dozen times — sometimes with a woman whom federal prosecutors suspect of procuring underage sex victims for Mr. Epstein. Fox News reported Friday that records show Mr. Clinton declined Secret Service protection on at least five flights.

          The network’s investigation reveals Mr. Clinton flew on the Boeing 727 “Lolita Express” 26 times, more than doubling the previously reported 11 trips.

          “Bill Clinton … associated with a man like Jeffrey Epstein, who everyone in New York, certainly within his inner circles, knew was a pedophile. Why would a former president associate with a man like that?” said Conchita Sarnoff of the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Alliance to Rescue Victims of Trafficking, Fox reported. Ms. Sarnoff also authored a book on Mr. Epstein titled “TrafficKing.”

        • richierich says:

          Bill Clinton stiffs young girls. He also associates with known pedofiles. http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/14/bill-clinton-ditched-secret-service-on-multiple-lo/

        • cajaybird says:

          Boots, did you just say “stiff young girls”? You’re unblievable1 Not much written in the SA about Bill’s multiple visits to the island with young women. Are you aware of that uncovered scandal? The birther issue is a complete distraction because Hillary is now losing in several of the key polls. Not much being reported here about the sudden drop in the polls by Hillary. I wonder why.

        • Ikefromeli says:

          Why, because those are outlier polls, utilizing methodology tied to the popular vote…….

      • st1d says:

        baghad boots: benghazi would never have happened if the female felon followed up on her legal responsibilities to provide u.s. citizens including foreign embassies proper security and boosted the security personnel in tripoli.

        benghazi would never have happened if the female felon had not ordered the u.s. ambassador to benghazi in the middle of the revolution, effectively splitting the already overtaxed security team in lybia.

        benghazi would not have happened if the female felon had not abandoned embassy staffers and left them without backup security to extract them from the attack.

        the female felon owns benghazi, she owns the coverup attempt, she owns the deaths of the ambassador and staff.

        as she said herself: “theres no erasing it in history.”

        • Boots says:

          But you know what St? You forgot the most important: Benghazi never would have happened if your hero, G W Bush lied us into a stupid never ending war just so that his rich buddies can make a few extra bucks!

          But you go ahead and vote for the Donald, a person who would go to war if someone gives the finger to a destroyer. Grow up!

        • seaborn says:

          Legislators voted against adding security to the embassy.

        • st1d says:

          2012 congress approved over $2.37 billion to fund u.s. embassy security.

          august 2012 the state department reduced embassy security personnel in tripoli from 34 to 6.

          the female felon was secretary of state who has ultimate responsibility for providing security for u.s. embassy personnel. instead security was reduced by 80% as she and obama incited a regime changing revolution in lybia.

      • allie says:

        Bush is not liked by most Republicans boots. He was a weak and very wasteful president. He increased taxes, wasted trillions of dollars, fought the wrong wars and greatly increased the debt and size of government.

      • hawaiikone says:

        bootie, I’m sure if the argument were to continue, you’d find a way to implicate Bush in that Garden of Eden fiasco…

  3. ready2go says:

    What a loudmouth who spouts off, just to get attention from the media. How can the Republicans stomach him?

    • Pocho says:

      Go ahead and vote for the LIARS! Bill be running the show if she’s elected. Hillary even looks like she’s mimicking Bill’s oratory stance, the speeches given, etc.

      • Boots says:

        lol, which liar are you referring to? The lars are actually the republicans who claim they can balance the budget by reducing revenue and increasing expenses. So I advise you not to vote for the liars. Hillary is the Pope by comparison. And she doesn’t stiff young girls. 🙂

        • Keonigohan says:

          Boots…
          Flight logs obtained by Gawker in January 2015 put Mr. Clinton on the billionaire’s infamous jet more than a dozen times — sometimes with a woman whom federal prosecutors suspect of procuring underage sex victims for Mr. Epstein. Fox News reported Friday that records show Mr. Clinton declined Secret Service protection on at least five flights.

          The network’s investigation reveals Mr. Clinton flew on the Boeing 727 “Lolita Express” 26 times, more than doubling the previously reported 11 trips.

          “Bill Clinton … associated with a man like Jeffrey Epstein, who everyone in New York, certainly within his inner circles, knew was a pedophile. Why would a former president associate with a man like that?” said Conchita Sarnoff of the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Alliance to Rescue Victims of Trafficking, Fox reported. Ms. Sarnoff also authored a book on Mr. Epstein titled “TrafficKing.”

        • DPK says:

          Per Mr. Obama’s 2008 campaign comments: “Hillary will say anything to get elected”.

  4. NEtrades says:

    What a Joke……………..PERIOD! The circus continues.

    • Cellodad says:

      Yeah but imagine how empty these guys lives would be if they couldn’t come here an fulminate every day. Notice how few women there are? Women are much more sensible and have too much to do. They are probably quite happy to see the Cranky Old Men sitting in front of their yellowing CRT monitors yelling at the liberal progressive people of color who have made their tiny lives essentially meaningless. Whoops, time to go to the pool and work out.

  5. wiliki says:

    Trump lies. Fire Trump. We can’t trust him.

    • Keonigohan says:

      hiLIARy lies. Fire hiLIARy. We can’t trust her.

    • Boots says:

      Little late now to Fire the Donald as the republican nominee for president don’t you think? Poor Donald, now he has to deal with a well, recovered Hillary. To think he would start a war if someone gives him the finger. Road rage on an international scale anyone? Grow up Donald. lol

      • Pocho says:

        Hillary Lied working for the Government, she has a Government work record! Donald’s never done working for Government. So you vote for a Habitual Government worker or a new person to lead the Nation? lol

        • NanakuliBoss says:

          Donald never worked for the government,BELIEVE ME, NEVER!!! (finger waving,no no no) Donald worked against them as in court. Bankruptcy COURT, Divorce COURT and CIVIL COURT(GetRichUniversity). Many a many Courts. Before things get to Criminal COURTS, usually his Army of lawyers, and BELIEVE ME he has an army, will use $$$ to pay off the victims. His taxes will show off shore accounts and 0, yes folks ZERO tax liabilities to the government. For a billionaire?

        • HIE says:

          I vote for a habitual public service citizen (Hillary) over a habitual self serving citizen (Trump). Pretty simple…kind of like your brain.

        • Pocho says:

          Trump never lied to me as a government employee. Don’t think Hillary ever told me the truth as a government worker to be honest

        • NITRO08 says:

          Donald never worked in his life!

      • DPK says:

        Perhaps your comments can “grow up”. Established rules of engagement already exist and were in play during the last Iranian harassment. Say, aren’t you the same “Boots” that so whole heartedly supported rail and its political backers?

        • Boots says:

          The Donald has constantly lied. Just look at what he has said about Obama. And he stiffed the Freedom Girls. Do you think the Donald would follow “Established rule of engagement”? This is the commander in Chief we are talking about.

        • Keonigohan says:

          Boots…look above about Bubba and his Lolita Express “Junk”ets

        • cajaybird says:

          Thanks Keonigohan! I couldn’t remember the name of the island trips. Notice there is little written about the trips. No “investigations” by the media. I’m still waiting to hear the ten minute speech that Chelsea Clinton gave for $ 65,000.00. Man, that must have been real informative for someone. I wonder how Dems (who care about the “little people”) explain the Clinton’s paydays. Actually, they’re better named “paybacks”.

        • Keonigohan says:

          cajaybird…MSM is the front organization (not news) for the Clinton Cartel. A couple of them have even admitted it…the latest dummy..Christianne Amanpour *sigh*
          Chelsea…failed at her 6 figure MSNBC stint…can’t believe her parents are grooming her??? And a 10 min $65K speech..WOW..curious to know too!

  6. Ikefromeli says:

    Yet another occasion where Trump has done a total and complete 180. He started the entire birther movement, there are dozens of documented and recorded instances where he not just promoted this infantile theory, he had the audacity to issue a five million bounty for documents related to it.

    So, what is is the central primacy of his motivation for such ridiculous accusations: well, he is a bigot and racist.

    Now, separating those two despicable qualities, which standing on their own would disqualify him for the White House, is his overly simplistic and non-read approach to problem-solving in our nation that are very layered and quite complex. By way of specific example, this promise to create millions of jobs and have GDP miraculously jump over 4%, without a nuanced explanation and furthermore, going against what all previously delineated data and analysis has previously established.

    Consider this, in 2014, three tech firms has a total market capitalization over a trillion dollars but yet it’s totally employee roll was just over a 150,000 employees. Now, if you were to look at that level of adjusted capitalization twenty years previous, you would have several million jobs. My entire point is that there are complex structural changes in both our our economy and globally, that create a paradigm shift in the distinction between profitability and job creation–which are two distinct issues. To that point, in technology, much of the profitability is made even before the production phase (if we are talking hardware and plumbing infrastructure).

    A simpleminded racist man that can’t see beyond his next fabrication or lie….

  7. downtown says:

    Why does the media give Trumpf the idiot so much exposure? Why does he get so much coverage for admitting how stupid he is? Why are they not covering something important with regard to these campaigns? If he said his poop was green, would they put that on the front page? Geez.

    The media isn’t part of the solution, it’s part of the problem.

  8. seaborn says:

    Glad to read the investigators Donald sent to Hawaii years ago finally got the information they were seeking. Trump is a real no class act.

    • Boots says:

      I wonder why the Donald never released that report? Amazing the press just allows him to walk away from issues when he gets bored with them.

      • Keonigohan says:

        ”New analysis from the Washington Post removes any doubt that the anti-Obama Birther movement was started in 2007 and 2008 by Hillary Clinton, her campaign, and her Democrat supporters.”

        • klastri says:

          That’s not true, of course. But this is what you do. Always.

        • Keonigohan says:

          Federal Judge Klastri appointed by GW Bush..are you still wearing that robe? Are you still doing that charade?

        • klastri says:

          Keonigohan – Change the subject – your standard tactic when caught writing something untruthful.

          My identity is something else you made up out of thin air. You cannot write truthfully about anything, ever.

        • Keonigohan says:

          Kalstri..whatever you say. I never believed you when you stated that so don’t get your undies all wedged up. You are who you’s like to be.

        • Keonigohan says:

          btw Klastri (aka Kurt on Kauai aka kauai) you still think hiLIARy will win in a LANDSLIDE as you had vehemently stated many many times?

    • Keonigohan says:

      ”New analysis from the Washington Post removes any doubt that the anti-Obama Birther movement was started in 2007 and 2008 by Hillary Clinton, her campaign, and her Democrat supporters.”

      • klastri says:

        You made that up. The Washington Post published just the opposite, so your record of writing falsehoods remains unbroken.

        You simply can not write truthful things. Not ever.

      • JustBobF says:

        Keoni, why are you lying? You know that is not true. Do you think if you repeat the lie 100 times, people will believe you. Please, grow up!

        • Keonigohan says:

          When I see libs like you do the same thing over and over again expecting different results you know what that means….eg..O’s two terms. Sad.
          O & hiLIARy actually believe what they sell & tell you is true…

          If you have a DR you can keep your DR….
          Every Family will reduce their Healthcare cost $2,500 a year…..
          No American lives were lost in Libya…..
          I had a bout of pneumonia…spox said dehydration..Bubba said Flu…Bubba said hiLIARy had “Frequent” fainting spells..
          etc. etc.
          I have to go lunch now but in the mean time..please go get informed ok
          Mahalo

      • Cellodad says:

        Okay. For the very last time. This is the headline from the Washington Post” “Trump admits Obama was born in U.S., falsely blames Clinton for rumors.” Geez, when facts are only a few clicks away, why do you Cranky Old Men have to make stuff up?

  9. richierich says:

    This quote is laughable, “There is no erasing history.” Hillary Clinton learned that the hard way.

  10. aiea7 says:

    he should apologize to president Obama for his stupid actions. but he won’t do it because he is a coward. he talks big but when push comes to shove he wilts. waha.

  11. Ikefromeli says:

    Everytime he has tried to insert (forcibly) himself to the Black and Latino community he has failed profoundly.

    His acerbic and pugilistic, and moreover passive-agressive response, as at his core he is a text book coward, as would never actually confront in person a strong and intelligent black woman, with the Yale educated (go Eli!!!!) Black pastor, earlier this week in Michigan, only reinforces why he will lose in November.

    Now, with today’s tepid, lukewarm, half-hearted, forced and passive response about OUR President, it will only create a pivot for HRC. Make no mistake about it, she is still in the lead, but I promise you, by this time next week, he would have given any gains he made in the last two weeks. The man is caricature of a caricature……would be amusing if he wasn’t running for the most powerful position in the free world.

    • lespark says:

      Ike, from deplorable to desperation is where the Clinton campaign is going. Sniper fire in Bosnia. Her IT staff taking the 5th. Extremely careless. Permanent brain damage. Pathological liar. Frequent blackouts. She has some baggage. Maybe you aren’t aware but tax returns are voluntary. Destruction of government records, pay for play are felonies. She has to win the White House or it’s the Jail House.

      • Ikefromeli says:

        Tax returns are NOT voluntary and there are whole floors in federal pens, with folks who had that poppycock feed to them, and are not serving a nickel. Man, I knew you were not the sharpest blade in the drawer, but heck now, I’m thinking you’re just a pair of wooden chop sticks.

      • Ikefromeli says:

        And to clarify your incredibly simple minded, and working assertion that paying taxes is voluntary, as I don’t want some person taking your ridiculous comment as fact —
        OVERVIEW

        In the United States, it isn’t the payment of tax that’s voluntary. Rather, it’s the manner in which people submit their own taxes.

        The U.S. tax code operates on a system of voluntary compliance. Some taxpayers have used the voluntary nature of the tax system to support their claims that they don’t have to pay tax at all. However, it isn’t the payment of the tax itself that is voluntary. Rather, it’s the manner in which people submit their own taxes.

        Gosh, you are a dull one…

      • Ikefromeli says:

        Les—

        In the United States, it isn’t the payment of tax that’s voluntary. Rather, it’s the manner in which people submit their own taxes.

        The U.S. tax code operates on a system of voluntary compliance. Some taxpayers have used the voluntary nature of the tax system to support their claims that they don’t have to pay tax at all. However, it isn’t the payment of the tax itself that is voluntary. Rather, it’s the manner in which people submit their own taxes.

  12. Hawaiiobserver says:

    Amazing that Trump is supposedly only a few points behind Clinton in the polls. With his laughable lies, how can that be? As much as we dislike both candidates, everyone needs to get out and vote to keep Trump out of the White House. Clinton is the lesser of the two evils.

  13. ready2go says:

    If he had served in the military, he would’ve known more about Hawaii, where it is and more about Barry’s birthplace. Ask him to spell “Punahou”.

  14. Ikefromeli says:

    Let’s look at a brief history of Trump and race:

    Sued multiple time by the federal government for discriminating against people color and their ability to rent;

    Has said he would never hire a black accountant;

    Took out a full page ad in a NY paper against the “Central Park Five” (all young men of color), as it turned out, they were both unlawfully detained and convicted, and the end result was not just their just freedom–but also a record settlement with the city of NYC;

    Not only takes the point and loudest position on the ridiculous birther movement, but makes an incredulous bounty of five million dollars to anyone who can prove it (so, no one collected huh– or maybe u knew it all the time, and that’s the real reason for the fabulous amount);

    Says, a Latino federal judge, on the mere feature of him being Latino is biased (quick someone tell the former White House Counsel and the Attorney General of the US-Alberto GONZALES);

    Inserts, the not so subtle racial messages of “make America Great” and “take back America”, which harkens to a time when Jim Crow was the norm and the belief black folks happily whistled in the fields in their indenture.

    Proof is in the pudding,

    • sarge22 says:

      “Make America Great Again” is back in vogue. Trump doing great. Typical liberal response to attacks on HiLIARy is to attack the messenger. No substance whatsoever.

  15. wrightj says:

    So how many ties do you own, Mr. “I”? A motorized rack, no doubt.

  16. Ronin006 says:

    Clinton said that Trump owes Obama and the American people an apology for his role as a leading “birther” questioning the president’s citizenship. That is nonsense. The person who should be apologizing to Americans is Obama who raised suspicions about his birth place by paying millions of dollars to have his academic records sealed to hide them from the American people and who played along with the birther issue for three or four years by refusing to release his birth certificate. He could have stopped it in 2008, but he chose not to which added fuel to the debate. Apologize, Obama.

    • klastri says:

      Oh, please. Can you ever write anything truthful? Ever?

      • Ronin006 says:

        OK, I will concede that Obama may not have paid to have his academic records sealed nor was it necessary to pay anyone because such records basically are sealed by law in that they cannot be released without the written consent of students. However, Obama’s refusal to release his academic records and his refusal to release a copy of his birth certificate fueled speculation that he had something to hide and that he may not have been born in the United States. As I said in my original comment, he could have ended the controversy and speculation in 2008 had he released a copy of his birth certificate, but for reasons unknown except to him he refused to do so until April 2011. Apologize, Obama.

        • klastri says:

          So then why do you just make things up? To support your fabricated case? Do you simply have no shame?

        • Ronin006 says:

          Klastri, I do it to get your goat. I get satisfaction in knowing that my comments drive you nuts.

    • BlueEyedWhiteDevil says:

      Clinton’s 07 campaign mgr. Patti Doyle in a Wolf Blitzed interview stated that a rogue staffer spread the rumor.

    • Ikefromeli says:

      Facts,documents,,verification….alas, there is nary one, much like lucid thought in your dome.

  17. Smiling says:

    This man is despicable !!!

  18. CEI says:

    This is a non issue. Little Barry Hussein is hitting the showers in 4 months. All this is doing is taking attention from the disaster that is Hillary “Waldo” Clinton and her serious health issues. She and Barry both have to be happy that the AP is obsessing over this and ignoring real issues that affect the country. Like the porous border, the war on law enforcement, illegal drugs, the foreign policy that Barry Hussein has wrecked with his idiotic lead from behind strategy and the no-growth economy. That’s what should be what is talked about. Instead the media has steered the race toward a schoolyard “I know you are but what am I” spat. Pathetic.

  19. eb808 says:

    trump and all the “birther” haters have insulted the state of hawaii in denying the accuracy and validity of state records. not only obama but our state have been insulted by another of this dumb candidates positions.

  20. JustBobF says:

    >>>the GOP nominee invited photographers and a camera on a tour

    What?!

  21. KB says:

    who wants to bet this will not end …politics …He can not win because he does not own the media

    • MoiLee says:

      You’On! KB I think he has, He can Win. Why? Here’s why,they are all falling like flies, 1st the 16 GOP Presidential Candidates, & now Democrat Hillary Clinton and yes! even the MSM!
      You know what i’m really looking forward to ,in regards to putting an end to Politics? Is “Term Limits”,this will be one of Donald Trump’s agenda. TERM LIMIT!

      • klastri says:

        If you knew anything (you don’t) you would know that the President cannot enact term limits for constitutional officers. Neither can Congress.

        Every time you write here, you advertise your breathtaking ignorance.

  22. hawaiikone says:

    A plea to those not yet cemented in angry dialogue, and still keeping alive a glimmer of hope for national sanity, please watch “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLAh3pui-CI&feature=youtu.be”. Amusing yes, but concise and relevant as well.

  23. CEI says:

    Oops. Another giant blunder by the Clinton crew. It was her people who started the birther controversy in 2008. The gang that couldn’t shoot straight is asking for your vote. What nerve.

  24. MoiLee says:

    Good One Donald! President Obama was Born in the US” period!”Now we all want to get back to Making America Safe and Great again”.
    Excellent coming clean! I like it!
    Now with this? We will again see Donald’s numbers rising even further in the polls! Big Props to Kellyann Conway for managing Donald Trump’s Campaign. Indeed, Donald Trump is looking so very Presidential!

    Now on with The Birther Issue……
    I believe back in 2014 Donald tweeted that he had moved on with the Birther issue. So what’s the problem today? It wasn’t an issue back then? So again why is it an issue today? It’s because it’s Hillary Clinton coronation,who the MSM has, thus ordained!
    So why is it soooooo hard for the MSM to grasp this? Is it because he said it in his speech for the Veterans today?….I thought it was a Good speech!
    NO! It’s out of Desperation,heck,even CNN’s Jack Tapper is doing the SAME thing! They are all doing this because of Hillary’s “Basket of Deplorables debacle. This “Full On ,Stepped In It” speech was a low point in Hillarys Campaign. Everybody knew it and even her own supporters knows that, she stepped in it Big time! And will have cost her the presidency!

    Smart People know what the MSM is up to and what they are doing! ! And Smart people also know who created this Birther issue in the first place !
    Yes!I am proud to be in “The Basket Of Deplorables”.

  25. CEI says:

    I don’t know for sure but I think most of you democrats go to bed at night wishing little Barry Hussein was eligible to run again. He would wipe the floor with Trump. Instead you’re stuck with a deeply flawed candidate who brings the baggage of a deeply flawed husband. There is a giant enthusiasm gap for Waldo. The campaign is spending huge sums of money paying people to show up at her events and cheer on cue. Her biggest flaw is that she never learned how to properly lie from Bill.

  26. rytsuru says:

    This is what really makes America great…that a blowhard, self-promoting psychopath actually has a chance at winning the presidency because our country has been so brainwashed by the minions of social media platforms , the revenue driven 24 hour news networks, and our love of celebrity…

  27. Marauders_1959 says:

    I’m still not convinced.

  28. nomu1001 says:

    Off the topic, take a look at Trump’s tax plan, which does shift the burden of taxes with the highest income taxpayers getting a significant tax reduction. Here is his proposal for three tax brackets:

    Taxable income: Rate
    Less than $75,000 12%
    More than $75,000 but less than $225,000 25%
    More than $225,000 33%

    Check out the tax brackets now in effect and compare it with his tax plan. And this huge reduction in taxes will likely mean huge cuts in programs. Heard a former Reagan surrogate stating they would like to cut social security, and get rid of the corporate tax altogether.

    With all this rhetoric, a simple question – how will Trump’s plan pay for all of the things he is now promising?? And most importantly, how will what he proposes to do affect YOU?

    • Ronin006 says:

      I think the Trump administration will pay for all the things he is promising by eliminating unnecessary Federal departments and agencies not mandated by the Constitution like the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Energy. That is just the start.

    • cajaybird says:

      The same way the ACA was suppose to reduce premiums on average of $2500.00 per year, and you got to keep your doctor and plan. That’s how.

  29. Bean808 says:

    This is one pupule guy. He need to check himself in.

  30. dragoninwater says:

    Does anyone here in this comment section ever remember Obama when he lived here as a child? Anyone? I have yet to met anyone on Oahu that can even recall him in grade school. Maybe they all committed suicide because not a single one ever came forward that remembers him.

    • Ikefromeli says:

      Please you are just plain ridiculous Dragonwater. My relatives lived on Alexander Street, which goes right into Punahou and on the makai side goes into the freeway. They lived right next to the old Lau Store, which was in early to mid seventies the place to grab manapua, soda candy and crack seed for Punahou and Maryknoll students. I was dropped off there every day, and saw Barry there dozens and dozens of times, and at the Maryknoll playground–he lived around the block near the Dole street side.

      Or you could just look at old Punahou annuals…..other folks, Waipa Parker, Kamehameha 1980, All-ILH, lived on our block as well. Or, Wesley Lo, Punahou 1978, former CEO of Maui Hospital, was his very good friend in elementary. lived on the same block, please you are just pitiful.

    • Cellodad says:

      Ha! This is hilarious!

  31. WizardOfMoa says:

    How can we get the vice-presidatial candidates replaced these two unbelievable people running for President?

  32. slim says:

    Trump is a turd. He has nothing and spewed his racist bs just to get followers. And it worked.

  33. st1d says:

    former McClatchy D.C. Bureau Chief James Asher tweeted that long-time Clinton confidante Sidney Blumenthal had encouraged him to investigate the rumor that Obama was not born in America in 2008.

    the birther claims were birthed by backers of the female felon in 2008.

  34. justmyview371 says:

    Are you guys going to continue the anti-Trump campaign?

  35. richierich says:

    The real conspiracy is how the Press conveniently forgets that Hillary Clinton and her 2008 election team is the group that initially spread the timers that started the birther movement. https://youtu.be/nw2eVBMURVU

  36. CEI says:

    Because I’m such a nice guy feel compelled to give a little advice the my super-smart progressive friends. When you find yourself in a hole of your own making, stop digging. Every time you sling mud at Mr. Trump it ends up on Waldo. Stand by for further advice, you sure seem to need it.

  37. st1d says:

    “Clinton 2008 campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle admitted that there was an Iowa volunteer who forwarded an email promoting the conspiracy.”

  38. keaukaha says:

    It amazes me with how you determine that what is appropriate desecration.

  39. justmyview371 says:

    Liberal, biased, democratic journalists.

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