- Newsweek on Friday apologized for an op-ed that called into question Kamala Harris’ qualification to be vice president, even though she was born in California and is undoubtedly a U.S. citizen under the Fourteenth Amendment.
- The note from editor-in-chief Josh Hammer and global editor-in-chief Nancy Cooper said the op-ed “was used by some as a tool to combat racism and xenophobia.”
- “The op-ed was never meant to be sparked as part of the racist lies of Birtherism, the conspiracy theory aimed at delegitimizing Barack Obama, but we should recognize the potential, even chance, that this could barre, “said the note.
- President Donald Trump promoted the lie on Thursday and refused to shoot it on Saturday.
- Trump shook the lie for years that former President Obama was not born in the US.
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Newsweek apologized Friday for an op-ed question on Kamala Harris’ qualification to become vice president, saying it “was used by some as a tool to combat racism and xenophobia.” Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden grabbed Harris’ running mate last week.
The magazine was hit with criticism for driving a racist “birther” conspiracy after the publication of the piece on Wednesday by conservative law professor John Eastman. Eastman falsely stated that Harris – whose mother and father emigrated from India and Jamaica respectively – “may not be subject to the full jurisdiction” of the United States, even though she was born in California and is undoubtedly a U.S. citizen. fourteenth amendment.
“The op-ed was never meant to be sparked as part of the racist lies of Birtherism, the conspiracy theory aimed at delegitimizing Barack Obama, but we should recognize the potential, even chance, that this could barre, “said the note.
Newsweek opinion editor Josh Hammer and global editor-in-chief Nancy Cooper added the editor’s note to the top of the op-ed. It notes that “many readers have demanded that we withdraw the essay, but we believe in being transparent.”
President Donald Trump promoted the birther lie on Thursday, telling reporters, “I heard it today that it does not meet the requirements,” referring to the Newsweek op-ed.
“I have no idea if that’s right,” he said. “I would have thought, I would have assumed, that the Democrats would have checked that out before she is elected to run for vice president.”
Trump shook the lie for years that former President Barack Obama was not born in the US, despite Obama releasing his birth certificate, which clearly showed that he was born in Hawaii.
On Saturday, after Newsweek apologized for the op-ed, Trump declined to say whether Harris would be eligible for VP.
“I did not go into detail,” Trump told reporters. “If she had a problem, you’d think she’d be secured by Sleepy Joe.”
