Newsweek magazine has had an abrupt change of position and apologised for an op-ed that questioned Senator Kamala Harris' US citizenship and her eligibility to be Joe Biden's running mate.
"This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologise," read Newsweek's editor's note on Friday, replacing the magazine's earlier detailed defence of the op-ed.
"We entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted, distorted and weaponised," read the apology, signed by Josh Hammer, opinion editor, and Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief. But they ended the note by saying that the op-ed would remain on the site, with their note attached.
The op-ed was written by John Eastman, a conservative attorney who argues that the US Constitution doesn't grant birthright citizenship. Mr Eastman sowed doubt about Ms Harris' eligibility based on her parents' immigration status. Ms Harris' mother was born in India and her father was born in Jamaica.
Newsweek earlier defended the piece, arguing that Mr Eastman "was focusing on a long-standing, somewhat arcane legal debate" about the 14th Amendment and not trying to "ignite a racist conspiracy theory around Kamala Harris' candidacy."
But the theory is false. Ms Harris, who was tapped by Joe Biden to serve as his running mate on the Democratic ticket, was born in Oakland, California, and is eligible for both the vice presidency and presidency under the constitutional requirements. The question is not even considered complex, according to constitutional lawyers.
Asked about the matter at the White House on Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters he had "heard" rumours that Ms Harris does not meet the requirement to serve in the White House. The president said he considered the rumours "very serious."
Mr Trump built his political career on questioning a political opponent's legitimacy. He was a high-profile force behind the "birther movement" - the lie that questioned whether President Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, was eligible to serve. Only after mounting pressure during his 2016 campaign did Mr Trump disavow the claims.
