Less than two weeks before Election 2012, Donald Trump released a video offering President Barack Obama $5 million to release his college and birth records. Should Obama meet Trump’s requests, Trump promised to donate $5 million to the charity of Obama’s choice.
Trump teased the video out for a few days before launching the video on Wednesday at noon. On October 22, he (@realDonaldTrump) tweeted: “Stay tuned for my big Obama announcement--- probably on Wednesday.”
Trump also said on Monday, “I have something very, very big concerning the president of the United States," Trump said. "It's very big, bigger than anybody would know."
Rumors started flying about what kind of “dirt” Trump could possibly have on Obama. Gossip of Michelle and Barack’s divorce papers started to brew, as well as rumors that Trump may have had alleged evidence of Obama’s past “drug use.”
However, none of the outrageous rumors proved to be substantiated via the Trump announcement. In fact, Trump didn’t “have” anything on Obama per se, but did have a deal to offer the President in a video entitled, “From the Desk of Donald Trump: Major Announcement.”
President Obama mocks Donald Trump on Jay Leno show - VIDEO
Last year, Trump briefly rose to the top of the polls as a potential Republican nominee for President, but other than his support for Mitt Romney this year and the offering of his own opinions, he has little political involvement.
While there is no doubting that Obama has his fair share of people looking to get dirt on him - probably just as many that are looking to get dirt on Romney - why Donald Trump suddenly thinks he is the voice of the American people is not apparent.
Trump kicks off his video by saying, “We know very little about our President,” and that Obama is the “least transparent President in the history of this country.”
Evidently, Obama’s release of his long-form birth certificate, proving that he was in fact born in the United States, was not enough to quell some Americans’ doubts.
Trump says in the video he feels “honored” that he got President Obama to release his long form birth certificate.
“Birthers,” as they’ve been nicknamed, have now grown suspicious that Obama attended college for some time in Indonesia, thus perhaps refuting his American heritage.
“Now, many many people have questions, and very serious questions,” says Trump before introducing his deal that he’s offering Obama. He calls the deal an offer that Obama “cannot refuse, and I hope he doesn’t.
“If Obama opens up and gives his college records and applications and if he gives his passport application and records, I will give to a charity of his choice … immediately, for $5 million.”
Trump included the “caveat” that the materials must be produced by 5pm on October 31st, not surprisingly, before the election.
Trump believes his plan will "end the question and indeed the anger of many Americans.”
While Trump’s video may have grabbed Internet attention, it hasn’t appeared to ruffle the feathers of the Obama campaign as no comment has been made yet in reference to Trump’s “deal.”
The Internet, of course, has been sounding off in response to Trump’s video. “Trump” began trending on Twitter within hours of the announcement. TIME tweeted “Surprise! Donald Trump's much-hyped Obama announcement is actually about Trump himself.”
Some commenters on IrishCentral’s Facebook page said that the video was a publicity stunt for Trump, while others wondered why the media pays the real estate mogul any attention in the first place.
Of the comments posted at time of publication, most commenters seemed to feel that the video was nonsense, while only a few said they would like to see Obama make the deal.
Elsewhere on the Internet, comparisons quickly abound between Trump’s video and a plotline in a Batman film where the Joker offers Batman a deal to reveal his true identity in order to save a children’s hospital.
How do you think Obama will respond, if he responds at all? Will he take the bait forcing Trump to fork over the $5 million to charity, or will he not even bother entertaining Trump’s suspicions?
Check out Trump’s video here:
33 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.EamonnDublin | Oct 31, 2012, 03:38 PM EDT
Come on, Sean me bhoy! You know as well as I do that Mitt Romney's history is well documented. McCain's eligibility was gone into in a big way and he was found to be OK. Whether you like it or not, there IS a query over Obama. The BIG query is, why doesn't he end all the speculation by producing ..........................? Éamonn.
seanomelb | Oct 27, 2012, 09:28 PM EDT
He leads well Eamonn!! Why have no other candidates been asked for their passport application or their college records.I fear your endorsement of the crazy right and a lowlife like Trump disturbing. Maybe you should pay more attention to moderate republicans like Powell who endorse Obama for they know that extremist evangelical Christians have taken over the good old GOP. maybe you have "erred" in your misjudgment of Obama!!
EamonnDublin | Oct 27, 2012, 12:16 PM EDT
No, Sean, I "accuse" the American people of erring four years ago, not because I "did not like the outcome", but because since then Obama has proven that he is a very poor leader. Enormous difference! By extrapolation, I would certainly accuse the American people of lacking in intelligence if they do the same again - they having had the opportunity of seeing what Obama has done to the country in the last four years. Fool me once ...........! Or, as Oscar Wilde might have said, "Do you think we're ALL eejits?" Éamonn, Dublin.
seanomelb | Oct 26, 2012, 07:17 PM EDT
Eamonn a chara! Obama was elected by popular vote and you question their intellect and accuse them of erring because you did not like the outcome, is a flawed analysis. I can only presume that the teaparty voters with their flawed logic of womens rights or there "new science" debunking the age of human habitation is your logic and their candidate deserves to be elected. I remember my gr.gr.gr. grandfather pondering this question as he walked his Dinosaur in the park on sunday mornings. maybe he should have been in school studying real science.Have a nice weekend Eamonn
McNamara31 | Oct 26, 2012, 05:34 PM EDT
BrianO With all the Bush self centered promotion of landing on aircraft carriers; it was Obama who did the job. You can slant the facts time and time again however, Obama is a thinking man who gets the job done type of president rather than a bragged. When it comes to the attack on the Libyan Embassy are you aware there were 19 other (countries) demonstrations and attacks going on throughout the Arab world because of the film?
McNamara31 | Oct 26, 2012, 03:48 PM EDT
hillary asked during her primary contest, when the phone rings at 2 in the morning who do you want answering the phone? Turns out Barrack didn't answer the phone and let the Libyan ambassador and the navy seals die.
McNamara31 | Oct 26, 2012, 10:46 AM EDT
EamonnDublin The reason is CLEARLY no other president has been treated this way, with such intense disrespect, by those who continue to be blind to their own bigotry.
EamonnDublin | Oct 26, 2012, 05:34 AM EDT
"SeanOMelb" - Your statement below is flawed and your analysis is ridiculous. Just like old times, hey!?! Hope all is good in Oz. Éamonn.
EamonnDublin | Oct 26, 2012, 04:47 AM EDT
There are so many accusations, so much unadulterated rubbish, being posted on this particular question that it would take far too long to answer them all. They are in the main just insulting comments that emanate from irretrievable Obama disciples. I will just ask a question. Why has Obama not already disclosed his college records and his passport application form? Now, before a crowd jumps down my neck, that is NOT an answer - it is a QUESTION!!! Any takers? Only sensible answers need apply. Éamonn, Dublin.
connemaragirl | Oct 26, 2012, 01:36 AM EDT
Poor Donald ,he cant stand not being in the spot light so he goes and makes a fool of himself,nothing but a wind bag.
connemaragirl | Oct 26, 2012, 01:33 AM EDT
Eamonn Dubbin ,you need to watch more or different channels,seriously !!!!!!!
Seanmor | Oct 25, 2012, 08:08 PM EDT
In the political sphere Obama towers over Donald Trump, but in entreprpreneurial ability, the Donald trumps the Barack everytime.
1661996usmc | Oct 25, 2012, 06:37 PM EDT
Trump, Rush an d Bill O'Reilly are the 3 Political Stooges. Ann Coulter is on the sidelines should one become Civil.
seanomelb | Oct 25, 2012, 05:33 PM EDT
Eamonn your statement below is ridiculous and your analysis is flawed.
McNamara31 | Oct 25, 2012, 04:45 PM EDT
EamonnDublin "When I see them saying they will vote Obama because he will pay all their bills, that's when I get really worried" The only station that would broadcast such a totally ignorant statement is Fox in an attempt again to smear the party who fights for the rights of the working man, and is attempting to provide healthcare to millions of American who unlike yourself in Ireland do not have healthcare.
EamonnDublin | Oct 25, 2012, 03:49 PM EDT
"McNamara31" - I watch a vast range of American TV, I also read a lot on American politics. I ALSO do my own analysis of what I hear and read. I genuinely cannot understand how Obama was elected in the first place, but people are entitled to err. To elect him for a second term will make me very seriously question the respect I currently have for the intelligence of American people. When I see them saying they will vote Obama because he will pay all their bills, that's when I get really worried. Éamonn, Dublin.
eileenkny | Oct 25, 2012, 02:57 PM EDT
Just like a toddler, nobody was paying any attention to Trump, so he had to do something to get everyone's attention back to him.
merefalow | Oct 25, 2012, 02:55 PM EDT
SO WHATS THIS MONEYBAGS POINT,THESE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE ARE FROTHING AT THE MOUTH AT THE THOUGHT OF ANOTHER 4 YEARS OF OBAMA.OBAMA IS A DECENT INTELIGENT MAN WHO IS TRYING TO PROVIDE SOME MEDICAL CARE FOR THE POOREST AND MOST IN NEED IN THIS GREAT RICH COUNTRY THERE IS A SERIOUSLY LARGE UNDERBELLY OF EXTREME POVERTY,SOME THING THAT DIED HAIR BUFFOON WOULD KNOW LITTLE ABOUT,WHAT AN INSULTING DESPERATE LITTLE CAPITALIST,CRASH AND BURN DUDE,GO OBAMA.
Frosty38 | Oct 25, 2012, 02:38 PM EDT
I do family history and now I see why he is so nuts. he of german and other decents. Where is his birth record?
Frosty38 | Oct 25, 2012, 02:29 PM EDT
I think not once but a LOT/ the Gov of Hawaii has done that a LOT The nut job
irishamerica46 | Oct 25, 2012, 02:27 PM EDT
Name one network that is objective? I've watched all the news on different channels and there aren't any with any objectivity.They're either very liberal or very conservative as are the people who write these comments.None of you are free from bias.
McNamara31 | Oct 25, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT
@EamonnDublin states: "Are you all totally blind".... No my friend, its you who have become delusional from watching a network that stares into the camera and distorts every fact to fit the "Fox Narrative" and you have fallen for it. No one watches Fox to be "informed" they watch Fox to have their pre existing "bias" reinforced. That's why Roger Ailes built Fox, and that's not theory, that's fact. Again, Fox viewers were analysed and found to be the most uninformed audience in the nation.I know what you will say; there's that liberal bias again, because they have trained you well.
paolipete | Oct 25, 2012, 12:30 PM EDT
The rider in the Donalds so called offer is "TO MY SATISFACTION" - this is his way out of making any payment, in keeping with his history. Only a naive fool would fall for this cheap shot. If he has $5m available for charity purposes let him donate directly, without putting conditions on it as any normal charitable person would. But I guess that is not the Donalds m.o. JERK Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Donald-Trump-offers-Barack-Obama-deal-Internet-rolls-its-eyes---VIDEO-175768081.html#ixzz2AKSWNHzH
paolipete | Oct 25, 2012, 12:24 PM EDT
The rider in the Donalds so called offer is "TO MY SATISFACTION" - this is his way out of making any payment in keeping with his history. Only a naive fool would fall for this cheap shot. If he has $5 available for charity purposes let him donate directly without putting conditions on it like any normal charitable person. But I guess that is not the Donalds m.o. JERK
Proud Canadian2 | Oct 25, 2012, 12:06 PM EDT
I think the Donald and O'Reilly should get a room, a padded one. I have never seen two people so crazy in my life. Why should Obamma do that when he himself could give 5 million to the charity of his choice. What the hell is going on down there, the Republicans are really grasping at straws. Trump go see a shrink.
historynw | Oct 25, 2012, 11:54 AM EDT
The Donald is always about himself...perhaps he will dig out his own military school records. I think this was all a ploy to distract from the fact that he was fired as CEO of Trump Plaza yestereday. If he was going to make a donation then make a donation.
EamonnDublin | Oct 25, 2012, 11:54 AM EDT
So, "Jimgordo1" and other Obama supporters on this one - are you REALLY saying that Obama will deny his chosen charities $5million because he doesn't want to come down from his own level of egotism "to the level of" the man who offered $5million to CHARITY? All he has to do is show the papers! Trump said nothing about them being genuine or not, or whether it states Obama's nationality or not. Trump said, "open your documents and I will IMMEDIATELY give you $5million for your chosen charity. Sounds great to me. Come on you guys, why has Obama never opened them and why won't he open them for the sake of the charities? Are you all totally blind? Or just irretrievably awestruck by your God, Obama? Éamonn, Dublin.
McNamara31 | Oct 25, 2012, 10:54 AM EDT
Sorry s/b nauseum. And one more point, The Democrats have chosen to take the "high ground" when it comes to Romney's past.Romney's relatives had numerous sister wives,as they crossed back and forth across the Mexican boarder because of their "outlawed" Mormon life style. Romney's great-grandfather, Miles Park Romney, established a polygamous enclave in Mexico in 1885 to escape federal prosecutors in Utah. So please give the old birther stuff a break.
McNamara31 | Oct 25, 2012, 10:42 AM EDT
JohnKinMD.. Only if you follow the Fox narrative of a weekly conspiracy's, hidden document,passports, birth certificates on and on ad naseum.
jimgordo1 | Oct 25, 2012, 10:40 AM EDT
Eamonn Dublin -- The answer to your question is simple. Obama doesn't want to drag himself down to Trump's. Remember -- the end doesn't justify the means. Why should he dignify The Donald's crazy accusations with an answer? Even if Obama did release the documents, Trump would probably claim the either forged or doctored and his next step would be to demand to have the documents in his own hands before he would accede; and even then, there's no guarantee he would follow thru with his promise. After all, he's got everything to lose. BTW, it's NOT 5M Euros, it's $5M! There's a big difference and I don't think Trump would even think of offering Euros, staunch Republican and America-firster that he is.
JohnKinMD | Oct 25, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT
When in the history of the presidency has a president hid all his records from the public??
McNamara31 | Oct 25, 2012, 09:56 AM EDT
When in the history of the presidency have you ever remembered a president being treated with such utter disrespect by mainly rich old white me. Lets call it what it actually is!The same disregard these people have for the president is the the same utter disregard they having for working people; you are mere commodity to them. Trump a totally "self consumed" lowlife, wants to relegate the Office of the Presidency to an episode of his idiotic reality show where (in his own mind) he gets to play king for a day ruling over his serfdom. Truth be told, this is very close to the GOP platform which is silencing the voice of the working man, reducing Medicare to a voucher program and giving even greater tax breaks to other people like him. Why do you think you see, Trump, Jack Welch and the Koch brothers fighting against this president? Its for one reason alone; to insure the special treatment of paying half the tax the working people do which mean millions and some times billions in extra profits to their kind.
EamonnDublin | Oct 25, 2012, 09:55 AM EDT
Is the mainstream media so ridiculously biased that it refuses to ask the question that stares one in the face? Regardless of what one thinks of Donald Trump, the fact of the matter is that he has made an offer to Obama that if Obama releases his college records and his United States passport application and documentation, Trump will give Obama €5million FOR the CHARITY of Obama's own choice. FOR CHARITY. Now, the question then is, why on earth would Obama not do as he is asked. Simply open the files, take the €5million, and give it to the charity or charities of his own choice? So, why does Obama mock and sneer? And why does the media go along with him? If I was offered €5million for charity to open my records, I would do it straight away and I would be DELIGHTED to go along with the offer. So would anybody who has nothing to hide. So, the REAL question comes down to this - why does Obama not just DO IT, take the money and give it to charity? Perhaps, just perhaps, the answer is too explosive to contemplate. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.