Punking the Obama ‘birthers’
How an Obama supporter fooled Orly Taitz by faking a Kenyan birth certificate
It looks like Orly Taitz and her fellow Obama “birthers” have been “punk’d” by an Obama supporter, said David Weigel in The Washington Independent. An anonymous blogger posted four photos apparently showing the creation of the “infamous” fake Kenyan Obama birth certificate touted by Taitz, along with a “mocking” itemized list, MasterCard-style, that starts with “Fine cotton business paper: $11” and ends with “Punkin’ the Birthers: Priceless.”
The 1961 Kenyan birth document released by Taitz “is probably not authentic,” said Jerome Corsi in WorldNetDaily. Certainly it “shows distinct differences” from an authentic 1961-era birth certificate procured by WND. Still, our sources in Nairobi “do not rule out the possibility President Obama may indeed have been born in their country.”
After she was “punk’d” by the Kenyan birth certificate, Taitz has “become too much even for the Birther movement,” said Eric Kleefeld in Talking Point Memo. Even “the apparent godfather of Birtherism,” Andy Martin, is asking his fellow conspiracy theorists to “disown this ‘nutcase’ Taitz.” Of course, he also thinks the media is focusing on such an “obvious crackpot” to discredit the movement.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Martin isn’t the only media critic of the birther movement, said Mark Silva in the Chicago Tribune. According to a new Pew poll, 41 percent of respondents who’ve heard of the birthers say the media is paying too much attention to birthers’ claims, compared with 28 percent (and 39 percent of Republicans) who say they’re not hearing enough.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerous
The Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
By David Faris Published
-
The Week contest: Swift stimulus
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'It's hard to resist a sweet deal on a good car'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published