birther

[ bur-ther ]

noun

1. a person who claims that the presidency of Barack Obama was unconstitutional, citing a belief that he was not born in the United States, or denying the authenticity of his birth certificate.
2. a person who claims that a former or current U.S. president or vice president, or a candidate for either office, was not born in the United States, questioning that person’s eligibility to hold the office.

Other Words From

• birth·er·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of birther¹

First recorded in 2005–10; birth ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

He used birtherism to puff himself up as a potential presidential candidate in 2012, but never bothered with the details of birther conspiracy theories and never abandoned the “just asking questions” pose that allowed him to fool two different audiences simultaneously.

From Salon

Any American who was halfway paying attention to the news could have concluded that Trump was a race-baiting nutcase when he lied about Muslims celebrating the 9/11 attacks and pushed his crackpot "birther" theory that Barack Obama hadn't been born in Hawaii.

From Salon

Trump first started to make national political news by championing the "birther" conspiracy theory about President Barack Obama.

From Salon

We need to say a resounding and definitive no! to Donald Trump and all the damage he has caused with the anger, hostility and violence he has unleashed since he emerged as a national political figure over a decade ago with his racist birther crusade against Barack Obama.

From Salon

The episode Rogan referenced aired in 2011, and it’s “The View” segment where he first takes his birther conspiracy claims against then-President Barack Obama to a mainstream audience, toying with a presidential run in the same chat.

From Salon