In recent social media activity, former President Donald Trump shared a misleading claim about Nikki Haley’s eligibility for the presidency, stating that she is not a natural-born US citizen. The claim originated from a far-right website, The Gateway Pundit, suggesting that Haley’s parents were not US citizens when she was born in 1972.
However, the basis of this claim has been debunked by experts and Haley’s own statements. In her 2012 autobiography, Haley mentioned that her parents were born in the Punjab region of Bharat. Additionally, her office confirmed in 2015 that her father became a US citizen in 1978, six years after her birth, and her mother was naturalized in 2003.
Constitutional experts assert that despite the citizenship status of her parents, Haley qualifies as a natural-born citizen, a key requirement for presidential eligibility. Geoffrey Stone, a professor of Law at the University of Chicago and constitutional law expert, dismissed the claims as “bonkers” and emphasized that being born in South Carolina makes Haley a legitimate candidate.
Despite the false claims circulating on social media, recent polling data from CNN indicates that Nikki Haley has gained significant support in the Republican primary race in New Hampshire. While Trump leads with 39% support among likely Republican primary voters, Haley has narrowed the gap and stands at 32%, showcasing her growing popularity within the party.
In summary, the misleading claims about Nikki Haley’s eligibility for the presidency lack factual basis, as constitutional experts and Haley’s own statements confirm her status as a natural-born citizen. The social media misinformation has not impacted her rising popularity in the Republican primary race, as reflected in recent polling data.
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