Trump on the 'Today' show: I'm with the 'tea party'

Donald Trump appeared on the "Today" show on Thursday morning to talk to Meredith Vieira in another stop on his media blitz tour, and this time, he discussed his possible presidential run, aligned himself with the "tea party," disputed Obama's birth certificate and created quite a stir on Twitter, quickly becoming one of the big trending topics there. As Vieira quipped, "He's certainly not a shrinking violet."

Asked if he considered himself part of tea party, Trump said, "I think so. I'm very proud of some of the ideas they put forth. They want to stop this ridiculous, absolutely killer spending that's going on. What's going on in this country — the way we're spending money like drunken sailors — we are absolutely, we're going to destroy our own freedom."

He also continued to quibble with Obama's birth certificate, suggesting that Obama may have been born in Kenya: "I'm starting to think that he was not born here. ... I have people that actually have been studying this [in Hawaii], and they cannot believe what they're finding. I would like to have him show his birth certificate, and can I be honest with you? I hope he can, because if he can't and if he wasn't born in this country ... then he has pulled one of the great cons in the history of politics and beyond."

Vieira wondered whether, if he were president, he'd keep a military presence in Iraq. "I would absolutely, without question, not leave that section of that country," he said. "I would take the oil. To the victor belong the spoils. You know, in the old days, you'd have a war. And you'd be in there. And you'd win. And you'd take over the country. Whether it’s oil or gold or whatever."

What does he think, generally, about this great country? "I love this country," he told Vieira. "But this country is going to hell."

Vieira said that Trump said if and when he officially announced his presidential run, it would be on the "Today" show. Until then, we'll keep up with his Trump-isms right here on Showtracker.

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Poll: Donald Trump No. 2 among likely Republican candidates for president

-- Melissa Maerz

Photo: Meredith Vieira and Donald Trump on "Today." Credit: NBCUniversal

Comments

[cmg]

if obama was not born in the u.s.a. than he lied again, he should be impeached to the highest level and pay back all the money he was paid, and pay back all the money that was used for vacation's, and now Arnald you can run for president of the u.s.a. now..

[Marge]

I hope Donald Trump does run...I'd vote for him. Big pay cut for him though. Meredith...please please do not wait for September to leave....just do us all a favor and go now. And, Dr. Cosby...shut the he'll up and get back in line at the buffet.

[Dennis]

Donald Trump could be an alien. I want to see his birth certificate. How many times do the Hawaiian officials have to prove Obama is a US Citizen? Quit beating a dead horse Donald. Lets keep in mind that Donald is a business man and knows how to get "free" PR. If the American public thinks they have trouble now...then elect Trump and you will see what real trouble can be. Go ahead, put someone in office that is totally unqualified. The American public is "fickle". They gave George Bush 8 years to tear the country apart economically and in may other ways, but expect Obama to put it all back together in two years. Things don't work that way people. It takes time and cooperation.

[Pete]

Up to 1972 a Hawaiian resident could go to the Health Department and with their signature alone obtain a birth certification within 18 months of a child's birth. That law was changed in 1972 to require witnesses and additional evidence verifying the birth. Up to 1972 Hawaii was rife with immigration fraud, primarily from the Orient. Obama was born in 1961 and is therefore in the group of suspect birth certificates. The issue is a child could be born overseas and brought to Hawaii and a relative that was a Hawaiian resident could go to the Health Department and say the baby plopped out at the local luau and they would have a birth certification. This problem with pre-1972 Hawaiian birth certificates is well known, but not that you would know from the press.

Obama has claimed he was born in a specific hospital in Hawaii. The Birth certificate issued by that hospital would have the doctors name that made the delivery and witnesses.

The State of Hawaii is holding the original birth certificate. So, is it the type issued by a hospital that would prove his birth in Hawaii through the doctors and witnesses?

Or, is it the type of birth certificate that Obama's grandmother signed for with no witnesses? If it is this type it raises other vetting questions. First Obama would need to produce verifiable evidence to confirm the location of the birth. That would be witnesses. The announcements in the papers are worthless as those were printed at the request of the Health Department and only indicate someone obtained a birth certification on that date. It does not say whether it is the old fashion long form issued by the hospital, or the certification issued at the requests of Obama's grandmother. The only thing the announcements are good for is to show someone obtained a birth certificate, but it does not say which type.

A separate question, if it is the type Obama's grandmother signed for is why has Obama lied and committed perjury over this? Obama has stated that he was born in a specific hospital in Honolulu. The only way to prove that is for Obama to sign a release and allow the State of Hawaii or the Hospital to release their records. The cost to produce the original the State of Hawaii is holding is approximately $12.00. There is only one way to prove it to meet proper vetting for the office, that is to produce the original or hospital records. Obama refuses to do that.

Obama needs to produce the original birth certificate and stop hiding. This is not a birther issue it is a vetting issue. Obama has not produced the evidence that he is eligible to hold the office of the President. This issue has not gone away and as the primaries get closer Obama will be required to file papers with each State that he is eligible to hold the office. There will be a law suit in every State. Hopefully one of these Courts will allow discovery to be sent to the hospital and to the State of Hawaii to produce the records and make them public to end this debate.

[Roger]

I cant believe someone smart enough to build an empire like Trump has is so stupid to side with the "birthers" Doesnt he understand if there were any legitimacy to the claim. Hillary Clinton and her people would have been all over it in the primary.

[Alex]

Run, Donald, run! You can buy the Republican nomination and Obama's second term for us in one shot.

[J.R.]

Obama WAS born in Kenya. There has been a mass mailing to each member of Congress containing Obama's CERTIFIED Kenyan Birth Certificate, obtained AT the Coast Provincial Hosppital In Mombasa, Kenya by an American - Lucas Smith, who traveled there to get it.
Trump will not get anywhere in Hawaii -- he has to go to Kenya. There is so much proof there in newspapers, National Assembly minutes, witnesses in Obama's family and much more.

Go Donald Trump!

[Steve G]

You cannot take this publicity hound seriously. The man and his clown hair are trying to raise ratings for his mindless reality show.

I realize this article is in the entertainment section, but the subject is about as serious as 'dating rumors' between two co-stars in a film that just happens to be coming out in a couple of weeks...pure press agent malarky.

[Lori Cramer]

I loved it!! I am just your average Joe, middle class person, working one full time job and one part time job just in order to make ends meet with the cost of living keeps going up except for my income. I have not had a raise in years and it is not due to my job performance. I hope and pray that The Donald runs for president!!! I will be number one in line to vote for him. I agree this country is a mess and if any one can get us back on the right path it will be Trump!! GO FOR IT! I BELIEVE IN YOU. Just your average Joe / Lori

[Patrick Bales]

Thanks Donald Trump for giving this serious issue some long needed attention. I'm amazed at how willing everyone is to just let this go! Come on guys - it's not like he needs a birth certificate to get his driver's license! He's the President of the United States - He should have to produce a real, full form birth certificate. He's making huge decisions on our behalf in the Middle East and with our economy and health care system. The founders of our country wanted "Natural Born U.S. Citizens" as the President for a reason! They wanted to be sure that the Presidents allegiances were to the United States only! After seeing Obama's decisions over the past two years - I seriously wonder where his allegiances lie! Get that birth certificate Donald! If you want to see more proof for yourself - see Phillip J. Berg's website obamacrimes.com - he's the life-long democrat (yes democrat) attorney that's been leading the way on this issue.

[ACE]

We nee him for President... President Trump! At least he knows what the real deal is with this country and he does indeed have a birth certificate. I know me and my wife will be voting for him if he runs.

[KGLNYC]

Donald Trump is a moron. Can anyone seriously imagine this idiot addressing other world leaders? Putin would eat him for lunch. You can just feel someone like Hu Jintao rolling his eyes at America for even considering this windbag as a viable political force. He is right about one thing -- this country is going to hell. Proof positive: the media considering Trump an actual contender for any elected office.

[ShaMel]

Why blame Obama? It has been established that he's a US citizen. Find some other issue to base your reasoning on why you think he should be impeached. Why blame the black man for past debts he did not create? Stop using him as a scapegoat.

[Yojimbo Slice]

Republicans are stupid. Neener neener neener!

[MichaelO]

If the ignorant people that can't get beyond Trumps' hair, personality, or wives need to understand that the business of America IS business, not saving every third world country that comes crying for help and then stabs us in the back with our own knife. Unlike Osama, our "Union Boss in Chief", Trump has actually DONE something and RUN something. Like him or not, he is an AMERICAN first, with his primary focus on the health and welfare of the United States and understands that a STRONG US equals a PROSPEROUS US for everyone, and unless a particular country has a strategic interest to the US, it doesn't get our help, period. He is not an arrogant empty suit with a superiority complex, the likes have never been seen in the White House before. Osama doesn't understand the basic tenant that the OFFICE of the President is more important than the OCCUPANT, but, in his case, maybe that's not true as he is the WORST president in modern times putting our country in danger with jeopardy that we may never recover from.... but why should he worry, he has his golf dates and vacations and fun flying around on AF1. Pathetic and sorry excuse for a president. This country needs a LEADER, not a poser, and someone with actual REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE.

[cantubury]

"I would take the oil. To the victor belong the spoils. You know, in the old days, you'd have a war. And you'd be in there. And you'd win. And you'd take over the country. Whether it’s oil or gold or whatever."
trump. Actually,under international law, any country cannot expropriate assests from another country; war or not. he needs to look up the law before he runs for president. of course he could use the income; he is broke.

[RomanHans]

Just wanted to have at least one sane little voice in here saying that the birthers are racists who wouldn't believe Obama was born in Hawaii if they'd been sitting on the bed at the time wearing leis. I mean, if these people were the patriots they pretend they are, they'd have stopped the president who drove this country straight to hell, right?

[david]

I believe in Donald Trump, Donald Trump is a financial genius, Trump will reign in spending!
Yes!! Trump for President, and either Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachman could be the running mate.
Trump-Palin, or Trump-Bachman, now that's the best ticket. Pleases save the U.S of A Donald!

If we don't get Trump, then Bachman-Palin or Palin-Bachman would also be great. Woman president, Woman vice presisident, now that's progressive!

[pecos45]

So Obama has a fake birth certificate and Hilary Clinton didn't use that against him when he was running for the nomination?
And the Tea Party believes that the Clintons are not below-the-belt campaigners?

I swear, only the Tea Party would believe that Obama's birth certificate is fake but pro wrestling is real.

[Alex]

Wow, the nutters have really come out of the woodwork on this one...
Now, who really believes that Donald is that much of a kook, or just using this for publicity because its controversial. The 43% / 11% Rep dem poll split on the issue is alarming, but perhaps somewhat can be attributed to some kind of "cognitive dissonance": people predisposed to hating obama willing to believe falsehoods about him, Kind of like liberals and Bush + 9/11 conspiracies.