Eric Cantor: Donald Trump Isn't 'Really Serious' With Campaign Launch On Birther Issue (VIDEO)

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor threw cold water on Donald Trump's presidential ambitions for the next election cycle during an appearance on CNN on Wednesday.

When Cantor was asked to weigh in on a new poll from the network showing Trump making headway in picking up Republican support for a potential campaign, the Virginia Republican signaled he would not support the billionaire if he ran for president.

"No, I don't think he is really serious when we see a campaign launch on the birther issue," he said.

In recent weeks, Trump has made headlines and sparked controversy by repeatedly raising skepticism over whether the president was born in the United States. Senior White House adviser David Plouffe took aim at Trump last weekend in the wake of his persistence in pushing the conspiracy theory issue. He called the antics "sideshow behavior" and said there's "zero chance" voters would elect the potential candidate to the White House.

"I know for a fact that I am the only candidate they are concerned with," said Trump to the New York Daily News in responding to the criticism earlier this week. "They are very concerned because I am challenging him as to whether or not he was born in this country where there is a real doubt."

Karl Rove and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are two Republicans who have also expressed dissatisfaction with Trump speaking out on the birther issue.

WATCH:

Comments

[MsTWash]

11:58 PM on 04/16/2011

By the way Donald I am good friends with "The whites" how does that sound?

[RonNYC]

08:51 PM on 04/16/2011

For once, Cantor is on the money.

[NoahVail]

09:58 PM on 04/16/2011

So, do you think Trump is a Democratic mole?

[fredpa]

10:17 PM on 04/16/2011

We're not that smart. And we're not that stupid.

[kocean1]

08:46 PM on 04/16/2011

Once Trump runs into the Obama buzz saw he'll be toast. Can't wait for the debate. Bring on the Trumpster.

[alertbay]

06:42 PM on 04/16/2011

I don't think Cantor carries much weight with Trump. Which is just fine by me. Trump is an embarassment. Whatever has happened to this party that once contained such thoughtful men as Eisenhower and Buckley?

[sibyl9]

09:43 PM on 04/16/2011

Indeed.

[Boomerwoman]

11:55 PM on 04/16/2011

The Corporatists and the Christians. That's what.

[GearRatio]

08:39 AM on 04/17/2011

I've been puzzled for years as to what common ground exists between the Corporate Libertarians and the Religious Nuts in the GOP, and I think I've finally got it. Both believe that Corporations can do no wrong: the Libertarians because Corporations aren't part of the hated Government, the Christians because Corporations don't have sex organs...

[Gaylord P Farqua]

06:04 PM on 04/16/2011

Maybe Cantor was assigned the task of imposing pseudo-candidate limitations. A bit late but maybe The Donald and the Wizard from Wasilla can sell a few more books and get paid to rave a few more time without any interference from any new GOP/Tea Party self promoters.

[Timothy2700]

05:31 PM on 04/16/2011

This is what you REPUB/TEABAGGERS created...Brither Trump...what a JOKE!
OBAMA 2012!!!

[runtwelds]

10:06 AM on 04/17/2011

Did you see that show "Life on Mars"? One of the Obama girls grows up to president. Now THAT would make the teabaggers head's explode "Obama 2050!".

[maxfax]

04:15 PM on 04/16/2011

the Virginia Republican signaled he would not support the billionaire if he ran for president.

 
Thus far, Trump doesn't need these Republicans, he's doing quite well all by himself.  And if the GOP doesn't want him, and won't nominate him, he'll run as an "independent."  How very very exciting.

[justlw]

08:19 AM on 04/17/2011

It is exciting! I wonder if at some point he'll bite the head off of a live chicken. That would be exciting, too!

[Onlygodknowswhy]

04:14 PM on 04/16/2011

Republican to head quarters.
Dont let the truth stand in your way.

[Onlygodknowswhy]

04:12 PM on 04/16/2011

Trump just is out republicaning the republicans .
All he needs to do know is tell them that obama want sharia law and is an arab.
And then he would be unstoppable.
The trifecta of repuican beliefs.

[NoahVail]

09:53 PM on 04/16/2011

Republication?

[atexasdem]

03:50 PM on 04/16/2011

The fact that Donald Trump is even considered a serious candidate says something to me. Look at who the potential republican candidates are. Palin, Bachman, Gingrich, Romney, Huckabee and more. Can you imagine any of them leading our nation out of it's financial crisis? Can you imagine any of them negotiating with other nations both friendly and hostile?
Every one of those people would not only embarrass themselves on the world stage but as president they would embarrass all of America. Are these really the best candidates the republican party has to offer?

[Boomerwoman]

11:58 PM on 04/16/2011

They are pathetic, arent' they? I read the foreign press and they are incredulous at the clowns the reps are fielding. Pathetic.

[cuardai]

03:43 PM on 04/16/2011

When even Karl Rove speaks out against you, you know you are a looney...

[Tea for me]

07:20 PM on 04/16/2011

Repubs are so afraid he will run as independent and take votes from them, like Perot did. Ha!! But, he won't run. So, let's watch them foment, tear themselves apart trying to "out-trump, Trump". Dems in 2012, all the way around, state & federal will benefit:>)

[Aprama]

03:43 PM on 04/16/2011

Isn't this the same rube who thought his Republican held Congress could pass a bill and make it law without the Senate or President's signature? One would think there are smarter members of Congress the media could interview instead.

Please check out this link to boycott all things Donald Trump: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dump-The-Donald-Boycott-Donald-Trump/194567803912516

[ddemos]

03:17 PM on 04/16/2011

Yeah just use the "haircut" to whip the birthers into a frenzy and then bad-mouth him...

How pathetically predictable...

[Tulka2]

03:12 PM on 04/16/2011

"I'm melting.  I'm meeeeelllllttttttiiiiinnnnnggggg!"

[hotbarb2614]

02:17 PM on 04/16/2011

I am so sick of this guy yelling that President Obama is the worst President, Hate to tell you this Thrump, Bush was, All those soldiers and people that died in Iraq because Bush and Chenney lied about why we invaded that country, that's sad, and a top bagger let it out, he said it was necessary because Sadamm Threaten Bush's Daddy.That really sad

[fredpa]

10:27 PM on 04/16/2011

You are right. If Democrats behaved like Republicans there would be a number of them assigned daily to get in front of microphones and scream about wire tapping, the unconstitutionality of the Patriot Act, bogus wars, manipulating propaganda [Pat Tillman, Jessica . . .], implanting reporters in the WH press corps, lack of regulation, undoing of environmental regulation . . . Got the idea? But the Dems, with Obama's direction, have chosen to work, however imperfectly, on the people's problems in the here and now. They may pay a price for it, but they will have done what was right.