Donald Trump: 'I Don't Know' If Obama Birth Certificate Is Authentic

Donald Trump, who made headlines months ago by questioning the authenticity of President Obama's birth certificate, is back in the spotlight with more skepticism about the document.

Trump and the birth certificate issue were brought up again in Parade Magazine's recent interview with GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry. Below is the key excerpt from the interview:

Governor, do you believe that President Barack Obama was born in the United States? I have no reason to think otherwise.

That's not a definitive, "Yes, I believe he"--
Well, I don't have a definitive answer, because he's never seen my birth certificate.

But you've seen his.
I don't know. Have I?

You don't believe what's been released?
I don't know. I had dinner with Donald Trump the other night.

And?
That came up.

And he said?
He doesn't think it's real.

And you said?
I don't have any idea. It doesn't matter. He's the President of the United States. He's elected. It's a distractive issue.

National Review pressed Michael Cohen, a senior Trump adviser, about Perry's comments. Cohen said that "serious questions remain" about Obama's birth certificate. Cohen provided similar statements to Talking Points Memo.

Trump released his own statement about the birth certificate, saying, "Is it authentic? - I don't know - but I am proud of the fact that I was able to get him to do something that nobody else was able to get him to do - release the 'certificate.'"

Trump went on to say that "more important issues need to take center stage; such as our failing economy, unemployment and our unsustainable debt."

Back in April, when the President released his "long form" birth certificate, Trump stated that he was "proud" of himself because he "accomplished something that no one else has been able to accomplish."

On Monday, Republican strategist Karl Rove slammed Perry's interview comments, saying, "You associate yourself with a nutty view like that, and you damage yourself." Rove went further, explaining that Perry's birth certificate skepticism could "maginalize" him with voters.

THE GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ON THE BIRTHER ISSUE

Comments

[SCStoday]

02:10 PM on 12/09/2011

Yep, he just continues to show his ignorance so he can get more media attention.

[Julie Van Ness]

05:15 PM on 11/06/2011

Why does the Huffington Post continue to print this trash? Who cares what Donald Trump thinks or doesn't think about it.

[linnytheskinny1]

08:21 AM on 11/03/2011

THE THING IS.....if he isn't an American, are all the dumb laws and executive orders he signed
null and void.....Can some constitutional lawyer tell me?????? WOW!!!

[niradesigns]

07:51 AM on 11/03/2011

Do we know if Donald Trump's birth certificate is authentic??

[KevinDHorne]

02:57 PM on 10/29/2011

Letter from Obama to Trump:

Dear Donald:
OK. You prove that rug on your head is real, and I'll prove my BC is real.
Love,
Barack

[JazzHombre]

06:59 PM on 10/27/2011

He may not know if Obama's birth certificate is authentic. But one thing's for sure Trump is an authentic idiot.

[RepublicanDepression]

04:10 PM on 10/27/2011

Donald Trump: 'I Don't Know' If Obama Birth Certificate Is Authentic

But does Trump really know very much?

We'd never cover any other story if we had to make a headline out of every other FACT that Trump fails to know.

[Henry Avellaneda]

08:12 PM on 10/26/2011

I am still waiting for the "major discoveries" his private investigators made in Hawaii! He needs to get over it! Wether he likes it or not Obama is our president! He needs to get a life!

[barknasty]

04:00 PM on 10/26/2011

OK Trump then show everyone the fruits of your Hawaii investigation which you trumpeted last spring! You didn't even release your "birth certificate" at first but rather a hospital announcement. Go design some driving ranges!

[electrosef]

03:34 PM on 10/26/2011

"Trump: 'I Don't Know' If Obama Birth Certificate Is Authentic..." Wow! It's incredible the dolt actually admits there's something he doesn't know.

[vabnker]

10:52 AM on 10/26/2011

It appears to me these so called reporters/journalists are the ones perpetuating this myth. Why do they keep trying to get someone to say he is not an American Citizen. Obama put it to rest.

[bd7769]

10:22 AM on 10/26/2011

I think if Trump was elected to POTUS we would have the hottest first ladies in the white house.

[jocrln]

10:16 AM on 10/26/2011

Hey Mr. Trump heres a newsflash for you, the American people could care less what a real estate salesman with a bad haircut and a lame reality show has to say about politics,...go play with your friends and let the adults run the world.

[Pat Mercuro]

09:34 AM on 10/26/2011

Are you kidding me with Perry's answer.....boy did he dance.........just like Obama.......does not have my vote............no way...................either does Cain.............he is another dancer............

[RigaRoo]

09:29 AM on 10/26/2011

I can't believe this is still an issue. He is an American! Obama was born in the state of Hawaii on August 4, 1961.

[lliberty4ever]

06:42 PM on 10/26/2011

You were there ?

[RigaRoo]

10:08 AM on 10/28/2011

I wasn't there when you were born either, I guess I should doubt your American citizenship too!