Washington (CNN) – Senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett referred to calls for the president to release his academic records as "nonsense" Thursday.
The suggested disclosure came Wednesday from real estate mogul Donald Trump after the so-called "birther" debate caused the president to release the long-form version of his birth certificate.
Standing on a tarmac Wednesday in New Hampshire, Trump said "word is he (Obama) wasn't a very good student."
"I'd like to know how does he get into Harvard, how does he get into Columbia if he isn't a very good student," Trump said.
But Jarrett dismissed the remark Thursday.
"We know this is nonsense," Jarrett said on SiriusXM Radio's The Joe Madison Show. "He's almost 50 years old and he's president of the United States and I don't think anybody would debate his intelligence and so now we need to get serious."
Jarrett's foray into the conversation follows CBS anchor Bob Schieffer's accusation that Trump's comments are racist.
"That's just code for saying he got into law school because he's black," Schieffer said on the CBS Evening News Wednesday. "This is an ugly strain of racism that's running through this whole thing."
From CNN Politics
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Moving goalposts are so much fun.
Whatever respect I had for Trump is long gone now.
Well, Trump is either racist, drunk, or in need medical help of some kind. He seems to betting "all in" in this quest.
If its not true, why not release the records. MIght as well show people if you are a good student, no reason to hide it and have people wonder.
Trump wants to be President yet shows no respect for or to the sitting President. Typical Teapublican mentality, like that of a spoiled child.
Trump said he would produce his financial records if Obama produced his long form birth certificate - where is it? It is no wonder that folks from mixed families down "own" the "white" side of their heritage. This is truly an embarrassment to the country to have a bunch of fat white men running around slamming this guy's record when he has worked harder than any one of them to get where he is. And yes, he is a white man too, with much more honor than those who are slandering him.
I'd like to know how does he get into Harvard, how does he get into Columbia if he isn't a very good student," Trump said.
Bush got into Harvard (C student) thru affirmative action his grandfather, father all attended harvard
Donald Trump ? The Moron From Manhatten ? Bad Hair Day Donald ? That Donald ? Who Cares? Big Mouth Small Brain .Two words Trump, You're Fired ! Charles Bowen Solomon stone
Birthers, sit down and shut up!
"That's just code for saying he got into law school because he's black."
Mr. Schieffer is telling it how it is. Trump's attacks are dispicable and have no place in the political arena. If you disagree with the President, debate him. This demonization of the President has got to stop immediately.
Trump is such an arrogant jerk. I don't know who he thinks he is demanding to see Obama's birth certificate. What makes him any better then you or I. Just because he has money does not give him any more rights then the next person. What a complete embarrasment for the US. There are a lot more important issues facing not only the US but the world right now and Trump is wasting time on something so frugal.
It would be insincere to suggest there isn't a racial element to all of this ridiculousness.
In case he's forgotten, GWB got into both Yale and Harvard and wasn't a very good student either. Was that preferential treatment? Oh, I forgot, that's different, he's a rich white guy.
I want the long form birth certificate, academic records, dental records, and confirmation photos of everyone that thinks Obama is a foreign born, Muslim. How do we know they are not a part of an elaborate Al Qaeda plot to distract us? Plus I want to see Trump finally pull up that hair piece. What's he hiding under there?
First let's see Bush's grades. And Sarah Palin's high school diploma.
I am sick of that beast Trump. In 2011 I can not believe this racist ignoramus is getting away with insulting the President of the United States like this. I am just disgusted.
If I ever become sick, I will refuse to go to the Trump Pavillion and the Jamaica hospital. The mere name of Trump makes me want to throw up. He is a sick person who uses others for his own sick schemes.
What is the matter with Trump. Does he lack brain cells, I really think he needs a medical checkup. This man is Looney as they get.
Lets start demanding for Trump to show his Tax forms, and lets look into his financial background and see how many times he has filed for bankruptcy. This is getting really sad, all he wants is ratings for his horrible show since thats about the only thing that is probably bringing him any kind of money.
Racism.....do you think maybe its racism? They hate him because he's black. I love Obama because he's smart. We as a country world be in such trouble without him.. Let him do his job.
Until all candidates (and their blowhard shills on Faux News) come out and state unequivocally that this is not an issue and they will never mention it, they are in on the Combover's furhter attempt to covert Obama's presidency. The same is for the Birth Certificate. No word means acceptance of it as a possibility and therefore they are birthers
Why do people not know the difference between racist and dumb opportunist.
That's really funny. How did Bush get into an Ivy League school? Couldn't be because of Daddy's money and connections. Speaking of which, that's kinda how you got your fortune, too -on the coattails of someone else's work. Face it, you're a parasite...profiting off of other peoples' misfortunes. You fit right in with the GOP.
Chump is just jealous that he couldn't graduate magna cum laude from his local community college. And there are people who agree with his tactics and believe he should be our president – what a joke.
Come on, Donald, keep it up! You are doing more damage to the Republican party than any Democrats could do in a month of Sundays....