Former President Donald Trump’s recent sharing of a Gateway Pundit post on social media has brought to light a disturbing trend within pro-Trump media—specifically, the targeted attacks on former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. This analysis delves into the false claims surrounding Haley’s eligibility for presidential or vice-presidential candidacy, exposing the racist undertones behind some segments of the pro-Trump media’s coverage.
The False Eligibility Claims:
The erroneous argument, originating from a Gateway Pundit post, alleges that Nikki Haley is constitutionally disqualified from running for president or vice president due to her parents’ immigration status at the time of her birth. This claim builds on a flawed interpretation of the Constitution, asserting that since Haley’s parents were not U.S. citizens when she was born, she is only a birthright citizen and not a “natural born citizen” as required by the Constitution.
Debunking the Falsehood:
Contrary to these assertions, Haley, born in South Carolina, qualifies as a “natural born citizen” under the Constitution. The legal irrelevance of her parents’ immigration status has not deterred conservative outlets from pushing this narrative, revealing a pattern of misinformation that goes beyond factual inaccuracies.
Origins of the False Claims:
The Gateway Pundit post is based on a previous article from American Greatness, which echoes similar points made by right-wing pundit Laura Loomer. Loomer, known for her controversial views, was credited for her “investigative work” in uncovering Haley’s parents’ citizenship status. However, this information was not a hidden secret, as Haley had openly discussed it in her autobiography in 2012 and shared it with a newspaper in 2015.
Historical Parallels and Racist Echoes:
The racist undertones in the attacks against Nikki Haley echo historical parallels, particularly the false claims levied against former President Barack Obama. Similarly, Obama faced debunked allegations regarding his eligibility due to his Kenyan father. The racist playbook extends to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has also been subjected to baseless claims about her eligibility.
Attack on Identity: The Role of Names
Pro-Trump media’s coverage of Nikki Haley involves not only false eligibility claims but also an attack on her identity. This includes the persistent use of her birth name, Nimarata, by certain media personalities like Charlie Kirk and outlets like American Greatness. The consistent use of her first name is reminiscent of similar tactics employed against Barack Obama and Kamala Harris, using full names to otherize and emphasize perceived differences.