Topic on Talk:Donald Trump

It is disputed in the sense only that there are contrary claims, but that's anything in politics.

It is '*not* disputed in the sense that the public record is in any way doubtful or ambiguous on the topic of whether Donald Trump is responsible for it. The 'birther' accusations date back at least to 2008 and the Democratic primary campaign, well before Donald Trump ever mentioned them, therefore under remotely no credible theory can he be accused of originating them. Even Factcheck.org, which is about as far from conservative sources as it can get, agrees with that.

However, on re-examining, the question over whether it was Hillary herself that put it forward in early 2008, or members of her campaign staff that put it forward, or independent Hillary-supporting PACs that put it forward without campaign authorization, is legitimately in dispute.

I see. I admit I voted for Trump, but I'm objective enough to admit if compelling evidence exists one way or the other that can be sourced to prove this, then it should be cited, since this is a contentious topic. Provide a citation with reference tags to the most objective and verifiable source you can find along with any new edits to prove this one way or the other and I will let this stand.

If need be, cite two different sources with verifiable claims to eliminate any ambiguity.

Factcheck's article on it.

http://www.factcheck.org/2015/07/was-hillary-clinton-the-original-birther/

Public-record claim from neutral source about 2008 birther lawsuit.

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2014/01/29/supreme-court-ousts-attorney-who-sued-to-oust-obama/

Atlantic magazine 2008 archive of 2007 memo from Hillary's chief campaign strategist Mark Penn suggesting campaign target "his lack of American roots", although going at the birth certificate specifically is not mentioned.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2008/08/penn-strategy-memo-march-19-2008/37952/

Entry on main page edited to reflect. (correction) Just figured out how to shorten the links, so, they're in the reference note.

Glad we could work this out, thanks for your civility.

I've been told the WSJ article is locked behind a paywall for non-subscribers. I have replaced it with a 2011 Daily Telegraph article that goes into the same thing but is available freely.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8478044/Birther-row-began-with-Hillary-Clinton-supporters.html