Donald Trump blasts Obama, raises doubts about his birthplace

Billionaire real estate magnate and television star Donald Trump – who may or may not run for President on the Republican ticket in 2012 – has expressed his doubts about where President Barack Obama was actually born.

In an interview with ABC television, Trump said he found Obama’s background and childhood mysterious and strange.

Everybody that even gives a hint of being a birther … even a little bit of a hint, like… maybe, just maybe this much of a chance, they label them as an idiot. Let me tell you, I'm a really smart guy, Trump said.

I was a really good student at the best school in the country. The reason I have a little doubt [about Obama's birthplace], just a little, is because he grew up and nobody knew him. It's very strange. The whole thing is very strange.

Trump also highlighted how open he is about his own past.

When you interview people, if ever I got the nomination, if I ever decide to run, you may go back and interview people from my kindergarten. They'll remember me,” he said.

The so-called “Birthers,” whom Trump may be seeking to attract votes from, contend that Obama was born in Kenya and as such is ineligible to be President of the U.S. They also believe the birth certificate that shows Obama was born in Hawaii is a fake.

On CNBC, Trump also blasted Obama for not taking more direct steps to help Japan with its nuclear scare and not be on the golf course.

Wouldn't that be brilliant? Go over there and tell them, ‘We're here to help. We're here to do something,' Trump said.

Not be on the golf course…. You can't have the president of the United States working on his nine iron shots when Japan is potentially, I mean, one of the great problems ever. So I think maybe the concept — you're asking what should he do.. the concept of him getting on that plane and flying over for a two-hour visit would be brilliant, in my opinion.

However, Trump also lashed out at some of his fellow Republicans – including taking a swipe at House Speaker John Boehner for his public crying, criticizing Mitt Romney for failing to resonate with voters, and attacking Sarah Palin for quitting as governor of Alaska.