US election: Trump campaign acknowledges Obama was born in US

The Trump campaign has acknowledged in a statement that President Obama was born in the US. The Republican candidate had been a leader of the "birther" movement that questioned Hawaii-born Mr Obama's citizenship. But his campaign now accuses his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton of introducing the "smear" during the 2008 Democratic nomination contest. There is no evidence to link Mrs Clinton to the birthers. In reaction she tweeted that President Obama's successor "cannot and will not be the man who led the racist birther movement". Does it matter where a country's leader is born? The BBC's North America Reporter Anthony Zurcher says the statement signed by senior Trump advisor Jason Miller is far from an admission of error. Instead, he says, Mr Miller laid the genesis of the birther rumours wrongfully at the feet of Hillary Clinton and her 2008 presidential campaign team. When they raised questions, Mr Miller said, it was "vicious and conniving" behaviour. By broaching the topic three years later, Mr Trump had done a "great service" to the public and president, Mr Miller said. The statement follows an interview with the Washington Post newspaper in which Mr Trump had declined to say Mr Obama had been born in the US, saying instead that he did not want to answer the question. What is the origin of the 'birther' claim? Image copyright AP The claim is a conspiracy theory that Mr Obama was actually born in Kenya and is therefore ineligible to be president. Reports in various US publications suggest it was circulated in 2008 by die-hard supporters of Mrs Clinton as it became clear that she was not going to win the Democratic nomination. However there is no evidence that Mrs Clinton or her then campaign had anything to do with it. The claim enjoyed a revival with some supporters of Republican candidate John McCain as he fell behind Mr Obama in polls, the Fact Check website reported. When did Mr Trump get involved? Image copyright @realDonaldTrump The billionaire became a vocal questioner of Mr Obama's citizenship as he was running for a second term as president. In April 2011, Mr Trump challenged Mr Obama to show his birth certificate, gaining approval from Republicans including former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Weeks later Mr Obama released his actual birth certificate from his native state of Hawaii. At that year's White House correspondents dinner, Mr Obama made light of the allegations, mocking Donald Trump. The 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney referred to the discredited theory at a campaign rally in August that year, joking that no-one had asked to see his birth certificate - drawing swift condemnation from the Obama campaign. Why has the Trump campaign now distanced itself? - by Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter The words haven't been spoken by Donald Trump yet, but a press release from his campaign represents the closest we've come to the Republican nominee formally acknowledging that President Barack Obama was born on US soil. Mr Trump's turn as the lead advocate of the so-called "birther" movement has been a drag on the Republican's standings among black voters. It was also the issue that rocketed the New Yorker to fame among many conservatives, however. There's little surprise, then, that Trump team wants to settle the matter and shift the campaign back to more favourable terrain - but the candidate has yet to back down completely. What is the latest on the campaign? Mr Trump's doctor has said he is in excellent physical health, although Mr Trump said he was slightly overweight. Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Media captionTrump says he needs to lose weight (ZoCo Productions, LLC) Mrs Clinton has returned to the campaign trail after three days off with pneumonia. In a blog she said: "I had to admit a few days rest would do me good". Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Media captionHillary Clinton told reporters on her campaign plane: "I am doing great" Donald Trump Jr. said his father had declined to release his tax returns because they would only distract from his main message, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.w Mr Trump expanded his tax plan to include a reduction in the top tier income tax and corporation tax. He said he would work to boost economic growth by 4% through deregulation and trade tariffs to limit the budget deficit. Some economists have rebuffed Mr Trump, saying his plans would not reduce the deficit and that higher trade tariffs would result in negative growth. On Thursday evening Mr Trump appeared on NBC's "Tonight Show" where host Jimmy Fallon asked to ruffle the candidate's hair. Ms Clinton will appear on the show Monday night. Image copyright AP Image caption Fallon's late night show, broadcast from New York, debuted in 2009 What you need to know about US election Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Media captionWhy some states matter more than others How does the US election work? 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The claim is a conspiracy theory that Mr Obama was actually born in Kenya and is therefore ineligible to be president. Reports in various US publications suggest it was circulated in 2008 by die-hard supporters of Mrs Clinton as it became clear that she was not going to win the Democratic nomination. However there is no evidence that Mrs Clinton or her then campaign had anything to do with it. The claim enjoyed a revival with some supporters of Republican candidate John McCain as he fell behind Mr Obama in polls, the Fact Check website reported. When did Mr Trump get involved? Image copyright @realDonaldTrump The billionaire became a vocal questioner of Mr Obama's citizenship as he was running for a second term as president. In April 2011, Mr Trump challenged Mr Obama to show his birth certificate, gaining approval from Republicans including former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Weeks later Mr Obama released his actual birth certificate from his native state of Hawaii. At that year's White House correspondents dinner, Mr Obama made light of the allegations, mocking Donald Trump. The 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney referred to the discredited theory at a campaign rally in August that year, joking that no-one had asked to see his birth certificate - drawing swift condemnation from the Obama campaign. source: http://www.bbcnews.com