CNN's Wolf Blitzer clashed with Donald Trump during a phone interview on Tuesday as the real estate mogul continued to insist that Barack Obama's birth certificate was faked and the conspiracy began in 1961.
"Donald, you and I have known each other for a long time and I don't understand why you're doubling down on this birther issue after the state of Hawaii formally says this is the legitimate birth certificate. He was born in Hawaii. Why are you going through all of this?," asked Blitzer.
"Well, a lot of people don't agree with that birth certificate," replied Trump. "Many people do not think it was authentic."
"Frankly, if you would report it accurately, I think you'd probably get better ratings than you're getting, which are pretty small."
"Have you seen the actual newspaper announcements within days of his birth in Honolulu?," asked Blitzer. "Donald, you're beginning to sound a little ridiculous. I have to tell you."
"No, you are, Wolf," said Trump. "Let me tell you something. I think you sound ridiculous. Many people put those announcements in because they wanted the benefits of being born in this country. Many people did it. It was something that was done by many people."
Trump refused to name any of the "many" people and when asked why Mitt Romney didn't agree with him said the Republican presidential candidate to be was "entitled to his opinion."
Donald Trump is also taking heat from conservative pundit George Will, who questioned the benefit of Romney being associated with Trump.
"I do not understand the cost-benefit here," Will tells ABC's This Week. "The costs are clear. The benefit — what voter is going to vote for him because he is seen with Donald Trump? The cost of appearing with this bloviating ignoramus is obvious, it seems to me. Donald Trump is redundant evidence that if your net worth is high enough, your IQ can be very low and you can still intrude into American politics."
CNN's Wolf Blitzer clashed with Donald Trump during a phone interview on Tuesday as the real estate mogul continued to insist that Barack Obama's birth certificate was faked and the conspiracy began in 1961.
