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Orly Taitz (Hebrew: אורלי טייץ; born August 30, 1960)[8] is an Israeli-American political conspiracy theorist and political candidate. A dentist, lawyer,[9] and former real estate agent,[10][11] Taitz was a figure in the "birther" movement, which promoted the conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not a natural-born citizen eligible to serve as president of the United States. Taitz also promotes other conspiracy theories both related and unrelated to Obama. Taitz has initiated lawsuits on behalf of the "birther" movement; all were dismissed by the courts, and on one occasion Taitz was ordered to pay $20,000 as a sanction for misconduct in filing frivolous claims. Taitz has unsuccessfully run in statewide elections in California three times.

Key Information

Early life and immigration

[edit]

Taitz was born to a Jewish family in Kishinev, Moldavian SSR, in the Soviet Union (present-day Moldova).[7] Both of her parents were science teachers.[12] In 1981, Taitz immigrated to Israel,[1] where she obtained a dentistry degree at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.[1] In 1987, she met Yosef Taitz who proposed four months later. Taitz immigrated to the United States in May 1987, marrying the Latvian-born[12] Yosef in Las Vegas.[7] Taitz became a naturalized United States citizen in 1992.[2][13] She received her law degree from Taft Law School and was admitted to practice law in California in December 2002.[12][14]

Taitz lives in Laguna Niguel, California,[15] and owns dental practices in nearby Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita.[7] She has three sons,[7] holds a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, and speaks five languages: English, Hebrew, Moldovan, Russian, and Spanish.[16][17]

Before her national news exposure, Taitz was quoted in The Orange County Register in 2006 supporting Israeli military actions against Hamas and Hezbollah,[18] and downplaying the impact of the espionage trial of two American Israel Public Affairs Committee staffers.[19] (Charges against both were subsequently dropped.[20]) Taitz has also said that she lost relatives in the Holocaust and that her grandmother witnessed the Kishinev pogrom.[16][21]

Activities

[edit]

Taitz's claims regarding President Obama

[edit]
Main article: Barack Obama citizenship conspiracy theories

Taitz claimed that U.S. president Obama was not a natural-born citizen of the United States and was therefore ineligible to serve as president. She claimed he was born in Kenya and that he falsified his Selective Service papers and his application to the Illinois bar.

Taitz made other claims against Obama, including:

Taitz's other claims

[edit]

Taitz has also supported a number of other theories not directly related to Obama, including:

Taitz has also advocated numerous Internet-related theories, including PayPal attacks, the deletion of her Wikipedia entry, and Google's flagging her webpage as an attack site and suppressing search results for her name.[21]

Taitz has stated that 2016 Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Bobby Jindal were not natural-born citizens and therefore were ineligible for the office they sought.[26][27]

[edit]

Challenges to and during Obama's first presidential term

[edit]
Keyes v. Bowen
[edit]

In November 2008, Taitz, acting on behalf of independent presidential candidate Alan Keyes, sued California's secretary of state, Debra Bowen, for allegedly failing to ascertain Obama's eligibility for the presidency before placing him on the ballot.[1] The case was dismissed on May 4, 2009. The U.S. Supreme Court declined without comment to review the case on October 3, 2011.[28]

Lightfoot v. Bowen
[edit]

Taitz filed an emergency petition in the California Supreme Court in 2008 on behalf of Libertarian vice presidential candidate Gail Lightfoot to stop the certification of California's 2008 election results because of the challenge to Obama's eligibility. The California Supreme Court denied the petition, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.[1]

Barnett v. Obama
[edit]

Taitz filed a lawsuit on behalf of Pamela Barnett, Alan Keyes, other candidates in the 2008 federal elections, several military personnel, and some legislators from various states alleging that Obama was ineligible to be president. On October 29, 2009, U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter dismissed the lawsuit.[29][30] The dismissal criticized Taitz's legal abilities, stated her behavior was "unethical", and suggested that Taitz "may have suborned perjury".[30][31][32] On December 22, 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal.[33][34] On June 11, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court declined, without comment, a request by litigants not represented by Taitz to hear the case.[35]

Cook v. Good
[edit]

Taitz represented Stefan F. Cook, a major in the United States Army Reserve, who challenged orders implementing his voluntary deployment to Afghanistan because of his claim that Obama was not a legitimate president. The case was dismissed when the Army Reserve revoked his order to deploy.[36] Taitz filed an appeal in the Eleventh Circuit, which was dismissed on November 24, 2009, due to a failure to prosecute the appeal.[37]

Rhodes v. MacDonald
[edit]

In September 2009, Taitz was retained by Captain Connie Rhodes, a U.S. Army physician. Rhodes sought a restraining order to prevent her forthcoming deployment to Iraq. In the request for a restraining order, Taitz argued the deployment order was illegal since Obama was illegally serving as president. On September 16, federal judge Clay D. Land rejected the motion and denounced it as frivolous. In his opinion, the judge noted that Rhodes had not previously raised any objections to orders she had received from Obama since he had been sworn in. He noted that while she seemed to have "conscientious objections" to taking orders from Obama, she did not seem to object to serving under him "as long as she is permitted to remain on American soil". Land then upbraided Taitz for using military officers as pawns to further her claims that Obama was not qualified to be president. He also expressed astonishment at Taitz's apparent misunderstanding of American judicial fundamentals, saying that she was trying to make Obama "'prove his innocence' to 'charges' that are based upon conjecture and speculation".[38]

Within hours of Land's decision, Taitz told the news site Talking Points Memo that she felt Land's refusal to hear her case was an act of treason.[39] Two days later, she filed a motion to stay Rhodes' deployment pending rehearing of the dismissal order. She repeated her treason allegations against Land and made several other intemperate statements, including claims that Land was aiding and abetting purported aspirations of "dictatorship" by Obama.[40] Land rejected the motion as frivolous and ordered her to show cause why she should not be fined $10,000 for abuse of judicial process.[41]

English Wikisource has original text related to this article:

A few hours later, a letter bearing Rhodes's signature arrived, stating that Taitz filed the motion without her knowledge or consent, asking Land to remove Taitz as her attorney of record in the case, and stating that it was her "plan to file a complaint with the California State Bar due to [Taitz's] reprehensible and unprofessional actions".[42] On September 26, 2009, Taitz filed a motion with the court seeking to withdraw as counsel for Rhodes, so she could divulge in court "privileged attorney-client communications" since the dismissed Rhodes case "is now a quasi-criminal prosecution of the undersigned attorney, for the purpose of punishment".[43]

Attorney misconduct
[edit]

On October 13, 2009, Judge Clay Land ordered "Counsel Orly Taitz ... to pay $20,000 to the United States, through the Middle District of Georgia Clerk's Office, within thirty days of the date of this Order as a sanction for her misconduct in violation of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure." Land's decision stated:

The Court finds that counsel's conduct was willful and not merely negligent. It demonstrates bad faith on her part. As an attorney, she is deemed to have known better. She owed a duty to follow the rules and to respect the Court. Counsel's pattern of conduct conclusively establishes that she did not mistakenly violate a provision of law. She knowingly violated Rule 11. Her response to the Court's show cause order is breathtaking in its arrogance and borders on delusional. She expresses no contrition or regret regarding her misconduct. To the contrary, she continues her baseless attacks on the Court.[44]

Upon learning of Land's ruling, Taitz said she would appeal the sanction, declaring that Judge Land was "scared to go against the regime" of the "oppressive" Obama administration, and that the sanction was an attempt to "intimidate" her.[45] On March 15, 2010, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the sanctions against Taitz, ordering her to pay the $20,000 fine.[46]

In July 2010, Taitz applied to the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the enforcement of sanctions, arguing that "allowing sanctions by judge Land to stand will signify beginning of tyranny in the United States of America and end to the Constitutional Republic which is the foundation of this nation".[47] On July 8, the application was submitted to Associate Justice Clarence Thomas; on July 15, he denied it.[48][49] Doubting that Justice Thomas signed the denial order, Taitz claimed to have requested of Chief Justice John Roberts that Thomas's signature be presented to her for verification.[50]

In the meantime, on August 9, the federal government filed an abstract of judgment, a document placing a lien in the amount of $20,000 plus interest on all her real property,[51] prompting Taitz to say, "I will pay the money, and I will continue fighting," should it happen that her application for stay is ultimately denied and that the Supreme Court consents to her request to authenticate Justice Thomas's signature.[52] On August 16, after being resubmitted to Associate Justice Samuel Alito, who in turn referred it to the full court, the application for stay was again denied.[49][53] On January 10, 2011, the Court declined, without comment, to hear the case.[54]

Taitz v. Obama
[edit]

On January 27, 2010, Taitz, in propria persona, filed a petition for writ of quo warranto. On April 14, 2010, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth dismissed the petition, stating that "the Court is not willing to go tilting at windmills with her."[55]

Taitz v. Astrue
[edit]

In February 2011, Taitz filed, in propria persona, a Freedom of Information Act suit against the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, alleging the agency improperly refused to disclose to her information about Obama's social security number. After Taitz repeatedly failed to follow the court rule regarding the redaction of social security numbers in court filings, Chief Judge Lamberth wrote that Taitz "is either toying with the Court or displaying her own stupidity... There is no logical explanation she can provide as to why she is now wasting the Court's time, as well as the staff's time, with these improper redactions."[56][57] On August 30, 2011, the court granted summary judgment in favor of the government, writing "As her numerous filings with the Court demonstrate, plaintiff will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of this alleged conspiracy. Unfortunately for plaintiff, today is not her lucky day."[58][59]

Taitz v. Fuddy
[edit]

In August 2011, Taitz filed, in propria persona, a suit against the director of the Hawaii Department of Health, seeking to review Obama's "long form" birth certificate.[60] On October 12, 2011, the Hawaii Circuit Court dismissed Taitz's suit.[61]

Taitz v. Ruemmler
[edit]

Taitz sought to compel White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler under FOIA to grant access to Obama's "long form" birth certificate.[62][63] On October 17, 2011, Chief Judge Lamberth noted Taitz's "Sisyphean quest" and dismissed the suit.[64]

Challenges to and during Obama's second term

[edit]
2012 New Hampshire primary challenge
[edit]

In November 2011, Taitz, backed by four New Hampshire state legislators, filed a complaint with the state's Ballot Law Commission challenging Obama's eligibility to compete in the primary election.[65] As Obama had paid the filing fee and his declaration of candidacy conformed to state law, the Commission unanimously voted to keep Obama on the ballot.[66] The Commission then denied a request for reconsideration.[67]

In response, Taitz wrote to William L. O'Brien, the Speaker of the House of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, and demanded the removal of Bill Gardner, New Hampshire's Secretary of State, for "egregious elections fraud, aiding and abetting fraud, forgery and possibly treason." D.J. Bettencourt, House Majority Leader of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, wrote to Taitz and called her actions "unbecoming of any legitimate political dialogue, nevermind one as ridiculous as the continued obsession over President Obama's birthplace." Bettencourt added, "I have spoken to the Representatives who were present and expressed to them my strong desire that they immediately disassociate themselves from you and this folly."[68]

2012 Georgia primary challenge
[edit]

Five Georgians, including one represented by Taitz, filed challenges with the Georgia Secretary of State, Brian Kemp, regarding Obama's inclusion on the March primary ballot.[69] Kemp referred the challenges to Deputy Chief Judge Michael Malihi, an administrative law judge, who denied Obama's motion to dismiss them and scheduled a hearing for January 26.[70]

On January 23, Malihi denied Obama's motion to quash a subpoena issued by Taitz to compel Obama to appear, saying that Obama did not show why he should not be at the hearing or how his testimony would not be helpful.[71] On January 25, Obama's attorney requested that Kemp halt the proceedings, and indicated that Obama would no longer participate in the litigation pending Kemp's decision.[72] Kemp denied their request and warned that their non-participation would be "at your own peril".[73]

Neither Obama nor his attorney appeared at the January 26 hearing. This normally would result in a default order, but the challengers requested Malihi to allow them to go ahead with the hearing and rule on "the merits of their arguments and evidence".[74][75] Taitz called eight witnesses (including herself), and presented seven exhibits in support of her claims that Obama was not a natural-born citizen, has used multiple names, has multiple Social Security numbers, and used a fake birth certificate. Taitz asked Malihi to fine Obama in contempt for failing to appear.[76][77][78]

On February 3, Malihi recommended that Obama remain on the ballot. Concerning Taitz's case Malihi wrote: "The Court finds the testimony of the witnesses, as well as the exhibits tendered, to be of little, if any, probative value, and thus wholly insufficient to support plaintiffs’ allegations".[75][79] The Drudge Retort described the hearing as "Empty Table 1, Orly Taitz 0".[80]

On February 6, Kemp accepted Malihi's recommendation.[81]

On February 13, Taitz filed for review,[82][83] but on February 15 her application to appear pro hac vice was denied "at this time".[84]

2012 Alabama primary challenge
[edit]

A lawsuit filed by an Alabama citizen, Albert Hendershot, in December 2011 alleged Obama's birth certificate was forged and that he was ineligible to be on the Alabama primary ballot.[85] Taitz agreed to represent Hendershot and sought to enter the case, but it was dismissed before she could make an appearance.[86][87]

2012 Indiana primary challenge
[edit]

On February 24, Taitz appeared as a witness on the behalf of two residents of Indiana who had filed with the Indiana Election Commission a challenge to Obama's eligibility. The challengers demanded a default judgment against Obama, as neither he nor a representative appeared at the hearing; this motion was unanimously denied by the commission.

Taitz made false claims, arguing that the President's surname was not Obama, that he was not a natural-born citizen, and that he was using a stolen Social Security number. When Taitz accused the commission of a cover-up, Dan Dumezich, the Schererville[88] Republican who is chairman of the commission, told her that if she was disrespectful one more time, "your butt is going to be gone."[citation needed] The challenge was denied.

2012 Mississippi primary challenge
[edit]

In February 2012, Taitz sued the Mississippi state Democratic Party and the Mississippi Secretary of State alleging Obama was not a natural born citizen. Taitz accused the party of aiding and abetting in forgery and fraud when it submitted to the court a copy of Obama's birth certificate. In response, the party filed with the court a certified verification from Hawaii's State Registrar attesting to the accuracy of Obama's birth certificate. Taitz accused the registrar of being complicit with the forgery.[89]

2012 Indiana general election challenge
[edit]

Taitz filed a lawsuit in Indiana, and attempted to subpoena Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and one of his assistants, Mike Zullo, to compel them to testify about the results of their investigation into Obama's birth certificate. Zullo indicated the two did not intend to attend the trial, stating, "We don't want our information tainted by a circus show".[90]

2012 Kansas general election challenge
[edit]

In September 2012, Taitz attempted to address a Kansas state board that had been reviewing a challenge to Obama's placement on the ballot, but her request to speak was denied.[91] After the hearing was over, Taitz and an Obama supporter argued, and eventually both were escorted out of the building by a police officer.[92] Taitz claimed that during the post-hearing confrontation she was threatened by African-American men behaving like "animals" and "thugs"; two Topeka community leaders who were present labeled Taitz's remarks as "inaccurate" and "racist".[93]

On September 20, Taitz filed a lawsuit in state court seeking to stay the board's actions.[94] On November 2, 2012, the court dismissed Taitz's suit due to her lack of standing.[95]

2012 Mississippi general election challenge
[edit]

In a lawsuit initiated by Taitz, she falsely claimed Obama's birth certificate and Social Security Number were fake, and sought to disqualify him from the ballot.[96]

Grinols v. Obama
[edit]

On December 13, 2012, Taitz filed in Sacramento, California a lawsuit on behalf of James Grinols (a Republican elector from Minnesota), Robert Odden (a Libertarian elector from Minnesota), Keith Russell Judd (a federal prisoner who was on the West Virginia Democratic primary ballot), Edward Noonan (who won the American Independent Party presidential primary in California), and Thomas MacLeran (who filed to run as a Republican for president) seeking to prevent Congress from certifying the Electoral College's vote.[97] The lawsuit also sought to prevent California officials from certifying the election results from the 2012 presidential election. On January 3, 2013, District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. denied the plaintiffs' request for a temporary restraining order to prevent Congress from certifying the Electoral College's vote. At the hearing, the judge told Taitz, "Your argument, it doesn't make any sense whatsoever," and at one point asked, "Why do you keep filing these lawsuits when they keep getting rejected?"[98] In April 2013, the court dismissed the suit. In November 2015, the 9th Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal.[99]

Taitz v. Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
[edit]

Believing that the death of Loretta Fuddy (the director of the Hawaii Department of Health) was not an accident, Taitz sued the Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary in Federal district court on December 20, 2013, to prevent a cremation. Taitz withdrew her petition on January 9, 2014 and the suit was dismissed the following day.[100]

[edit]

In 2012, Taitz was retained by a medical marijuana activist who had been arrested while attempting to gather signatures for a ballot initiative.[101]

In 2013, in response to A&E suspending Phil Robertson, Taitz filed an administrative complaint in Colorado that accused A&E was "engaged in discrimination against heterosexuals in favor of homosexuals, engaged in discrimination of religious people, particularly Christians, in favor of godless atheists".[102]

In 2014, in response to the National Basketball Association banning Donald Sterling for making racist remarks, Taitz filed a "complaint" with the NBA, requesting that it also ban Shaquille O'Neal because he, in Taitz's opinion, "publicly bullied" a disabled person.[103]

In 2014, Taitz filed a lawsuit challenging the transfer of undocumented immigrants from South Texas to other states, claiming they would spread communicable diseases.[104] The U.S. government opposed Taitz's lawsuit, arguing she lacked standing and was trying to "entangle the judiciary in her political quarrels."[105] At a hearing held on August 27, 2014, the court denied Taitz's request for a temporary restraining order, but permitted her to amend her lawsuit.[106][107] In her amended complaint, in addition to her claims about communicable diseases, Taitz claimed that unknown parties pressured a border patrol agent to not testify on her behalf; she also claimed the NSA and FBI have placed agents in the federal courts to tamper with documents.[108] In July 2015, the court dismissed almost of all Taitz's lawsuit, ruling she lacked standing to challenge the federal government's immigration practices.[109]

In 2014, Taitz filed a second lawsuit in Texas, alleging the Centers for Disease Control failed to provide her with information she requested about Ebola and other communicable diseases in the United States.[110] Because the information Taitz sought was not in Texas, the court transferred the case to a court in Southern California, where Taitz resides.[111]

In 2015, Taitz filed a third lawsuit in Texas, alleging the federal government's grant of asylum and refuge status encouraged undocumented immigrants to engage in identity theft. She also alleged Obama was using a stolen Social Security number, forged identification documents, and a false name.[112] Taitz's attempt to join this lawsuit with the first suit that she filed in Texas failed.[113]

In 2020, Taitz expressed interest in joining Donald Trump's legal team for the post-election lawsuits he filed challenging the 2020 U.S. presidential election, but expressed skepticism at the assertion made by the legal team that Trump won by a landslide.[114] In 2021, Taitz unsuccessfully sued Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to stop the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump.[115]

Political campaigns

[edit]

California Secretary of State, 2010 Republican primary

[edit]
Main article: 2010 California Secretary of State election

In March 2010, Taitz qualified to run for the office of California Secretary of State. At the same time, she unsuccessfully challenged the eligibility of her Republican Party primary opponent, former NFL player Damon Dunn, claiming that he was pretending to be a Republican.[116] Dunn had registered as a Democrat in the state of Florida in 1999, but that registration had lapsed before he filed for the Republican primary.[117][118]

On May 12, 2010, Pamela Barnett (named plaintiff from Taitz's lawsuit Barnett v. Obama) filed a lawsuit in the Sacramento County Superior Court alleging that Dunn was not eligible to run for Secretary of State.[119]

Taitz was defeated by Dunn in the June 8 primary by a margin of about three to one,[120] losing by over 900,000 votes.[121]

On June 17, 2010, Taitz filed a lawsuit in the Orange County Superior Court contesting the election results, again alleging Dunn's ineligibility.[122] On March 17, 2011, the judge ruled against Taitz.[123] On May 1, 2012, a California Court of Appeal affirmed the superior court's ruling.[124][125]

U.S. Senator from California, 2012 blanket primary

[edit]
Main article: 2012 United States Senate election in California

Taitz attempted to challenge U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in the 2012 blanket primary, stating, "I think I do have a chance specifically because I do speak Spanish and I speak Hebrew."[126] In November 2011, Taitz trailed Feinstein by a nearly 2–1 margin.[127] A Feinstein advisor stated, "If this race plays out as a bunch of unknowns who have no serious funding, Orly Taitz will probably win the primary [along with Feinstein]."[128] (In 2012, California used a blanket primary campaign system for offices other than U.S. President, so that the top two finishers in the primary regardless of party affiliation go on to the ballot in the fall general election.)[129]

A March 2012 poll by another Republican candidate had Taitz leading the Republican field; 38% of those polled had not decided whom to vote for. On March 11, the California Republican Party endorsed another candidate, Elizabeth Emken, over Taitz.[130] Citing fears the election might be "rigged", Taitz announced her intention to work with Sharron Angle to ensure "a fair and honest election".[131]

On June 5, 2012, Emken came in second to Feinstein in the primary with about 12% of the vote and advanced to the general election; Taitz came in fifth with 3.1%.[132][133]

In July 2012, Taitz sued to block the certification of the primary election results, alleging "rampant election fraud"; she also alleged Obama engaged in "identity fraud."[134] Her suit was denied.[135]

In October 2012, Taitz tried to revive her election lawsuit by asking the court to compel Occidental College to produce student records for President Obama, who attended Occidental from 1979 to 1981. The judge ruled that Taitz's motion did not meet basic legal requirements and ordered her to pay $4,000 in sanctions to Occidental's lawyer for the cost of opposing the motion.[136] The California Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal and sanctions.[137]

California Attorney General, 2014 blanket primary

[edit]
Main article: 2014 California Attorney General election

Taitz filed paperwork indicating her intent to become the Attorney General of California in the 2014 blanket primary.[138][139] Taitz was endorsed by David Manning.[140] Judson Phillips, leader of the Tea Party Nation, accused Taitz of falsely implying that the organization had endorsed her when it had not.[141]

Taitz came in sixth (out of seven candidates) in the primary, with approximately 3.1% of the vote.

Activities in Israel

[edit]

Taitz has also actively promoted her conspiracy theories in Israel, where she falsely claims that "the vast majority" of the population supports her views.[16] She has appeared on the Channel 10 nightly news show London and Kirschenbaum, was the subject of a feature on Channel 1 TV, and filmed a video for the website Arutz 7. Israel's Russian-language media, such as Channel 9 and Vesti, the country's largest Russian-language newspaper, have also covered Taitz.[16]

In the media

[edit]

Taitz received media attention in connection with Obama's presidential eligibility questions in late 2008.[142] She was interviewed by co-hosts David Shuster and Tamron Hall on MSNBC on August 3, 2009.[1] Various media outlets described her appearance on the network as an "implosion",[1][143] as Taitz asserted that Shuster, who is Jewish, was a "brownshirt", a charge she repeated in a phone interview the following week.[21]

Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly called Taitz a "nut". In response, she and pastor James David Manning organized a protest outside Fox News headquarters in New York City in November 2009, which drew an estimated 15 to 20 attendees.[144]

In April 2011, Lawrence O'Donnell invited Taitz on MSNBC so that she could address President Obama's long form birth certificate, which had been released the day before. When Taitz only wanted to make false claims about President Obama's alleged Selective Service papers and refused to comment on his birth certificate, O'Donnell kicked her off the show, stating: "Look, she's crazy. I invited a crazy person on this show to see if the crazy person ... could say something responsive, something human, to the document that was released today ... and she wants to play with all of her other kids' toys."[145]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Orly Taitz

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Orly Taitz (born August 30, 1962) is a Moldovan-born American , , and Republican political activist recognized for spearheading legal efforts to contest Barack Obama's constitutional eligibility to serve as , maintaining that discrepancies in his birth records and citizenship documentation rendered him ineligible as a natural-born citizen. Born in , , to Jewish parents who were science teachers, Taitz immigrated to in 1981, earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Hebrew University in 1987, and then relocated to the that same year, obtaining U.S. citizenship in 1992. She subsequently acquired a from University, was admitted to the State Bar in 2002, and established a dental practice named Appealing Dentistry alongside her legal work in , while also engaging in real estate. Taitz pursued political office as a Republican, mounting campaigns for Secretary of State in 2010 (where she garnered 25.7% in the primary), U.S. in 2012, and in 2014, advocating for election integrity, opposition to the , and resistance to provisions in the perceived as infringing on . Her activism extended to operating the OrlyTaitzEsq.com and leading the Defend Our Freedoms Foundation, focusing on and government transparency. Central to her public profile were over a dozen lawsuits filed between 2008 and 2012 challenging Obama's eligibility, which courts uniformly dismissed—often citing lack of standing or procedural failures—and resulted in sanctions against her, including a $20,000 penalty in 2009 for submitting a frivolous filing, upheld through appeals to the U.S. in 2010. Taitz contended that judicial reluctance to examine evidence such as alleged forgeries in Obama's and Selective Service registration reflected institutional bias favoring executive authority over Article II requirements.

Personal background

Early life in the Soviet Union

Orly Taitz was born in 1960 in Chișinău (then known as Kishinev), the capital of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, to Jewish parents who both worked as science teachers. The Moldavian SSR, annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940 following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, imposed strict state control over daily life, including education and professional opportunities, particularly for ethnic minorities like Jews who faced systemic quotas and discrimination in higher education and employment. As a Jewish family in this environment, Taitz's upbringing occurred amid pervasive antisemitism and ideological indoctrination, where religious practice was suppressed and Jewish cultural expression curtailed under the atheist regime. From an early age, Taitz developed skepticism toward authority due to the "propaganda and lies" embedded in her school curriculum, which glorified the Soviet system while concealing its failures and repressions. This exposure to state-mandated collectivism and suppression of fostered her disdain for centralized control, planting seeds of resistance that later manifested in her advocacy for individual liberties and transparency in governance. Limited access to uncensored information and the regime's emphasis on over personal initiative further highlighted the contrasts with principles of free inquiry, shaping her formative rejection of authoritarian structures.

Immigration to the United States

Taitz, born to a Jewish family in the , emigrated from the to in 1981 amid the broader exodus of Soviet Jews facilitated by international pressure, including the U.S.-enacted Jackson-Vanik amendment of 1974, which conditioned most-favored-nation trade status on freer policies. This legislation contributed causally to increased Soviet Jewish departures, with over 250,000 emigrating between 1970 and 1989, many initially routed through as a gateway under agreements like the 1979 U.S.- memorandum prioritizing Jewish refugees. In , Taitz pursued studies at Hebrew University, reflecting the opportunities for professional advancement unavailable under Soviet restrictions on and careers. In 1987, Taitz relocated to the with her husband, Yosef Taitz, a Latvian-born , settling in , , where she adapted to a new environment marked by stark contrasts to Soviet . The move highlighted American liberties—such as unrestricted speech, property rights, and entrepreneurial —that she later described as transformative, fostering deep patriotism rooted in firsthand experience of escaping state-controlled oppression, including antisemitic discrimination and in the USSR. Initial challenges included language barriers, as Taitz transitioned from Russian and Hebrew to English, yet these were offset by access to markets and institutions permitting rapid professional integration, unlike the USSR's systemic barriers to Jewish advancement. Taitz completed her as a U.S. citizen in 1992, five years after , aligning with standard residency requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act for lawful permanent residents married to U.S. citizens or meeting other criteria. This process underscored her commitment to American principles, which she contrasted with Soviet indoctrination, viewing the U.S. as a refuge enabling personal agency and opposition to —sentiments that later informed her against perceived threats to constitutional governance.

Education and professional qualifications

Taitz received training in the prior to her and subsequently qualified to practice as a dentist in , where she holds license number 37934 issued by the Dental Board of California. She earned a degree from University in , a distance-learning institution. Taitz was admitted to the on December 3, 2002, under bar number 223433, and her license remains active. Taitz also obtained a real estate salesperson license in California, number 01410896, issued by the Department of Real Estate; the license expired on February 8, 2008.

Professional career

Dentistry practice

Orly Taitz immigrated to the from in 1987 and subsequently obtained her dental license, enabling her to establish a general practice in Orange County. She founded Appealing Dentistry in Rancho Santa Margarita, with the primary office located at 29839 Santa Margarita Parkway, Suite 100, and maintains an additional location in nearby Mission Viejo. Her license, number 37934, remains active through the Dental Board of . The practice has grown to serve a substantial patient base, with Taitz reporting approximately 25,000 satisfied patients over nearly 30 years of operation as of 2015. Patient reviews on platforms like average 3.4 out of 5 stars from 76 submissions, reflecting a mix of praise for accommodating urgent care and criticisms of service quality. Taitz's professional success in provided financial independence, supporting her family of three sons while allowing flexibility for subsequent pursuits. No notable innovations in patient care or specialized techniques are documented in available records. Taitz obtained a Juris Doctor degree from William Howard Taft University, a correspondence law school, and subsequently passed the California bar examination. She was admitted to the State Bar of California on December 3, 2002, receiving license number 223433. Following admission, Taitz established a legal practice in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, California, operating from an office adjacent to her dental facility named "Appealing Dentistry." She maintained both professions concurrently, consolidating her dental and law operations by 2009 into a shared location in the area. Public records indicate limited documentation of her initial caseload, which preceded her involvement in politically charged litigation and focused on routine civil disputes rather than high-profile matters. This phase represented an extension of her entrepreneurial approach, blending legal services with her established dentistry business to serve local clients in Southern California.

Real estate activities

Taitz obtained a California real estate agent's license and practiced as an agent in Orange County, supplementing her income from dentistry and legal work. This diversification reflected her entrepreneurial approach, involving property transactions amid the local housing market active in the early 2000s. Her real estate endeavors included investments in commercial properties, such as office spaces in Rancho Santa Margarita tied to her professional operations. These activities predated her prominent political involvement, focusing on standard brokerage services without documented large-scale developments or notable deals.

Political activism and claims

Birther movement leadership and Obama eligibility challenges

Orly Taitz rose to prominence in the birther movement immediately after Barack Obama's election on November 4, 2008, positioning herself as a key advocate for verifying compliance with the U.S. Constitution's Article II, Section 1 requirement that the president be a "natural born Citizen." Drawing on first-principles interpretations of citizenship derived from historical sources like Emer de Vattel's The Law of Nations, Taitz argued that natural-born status demands birth on U.S. soil to parents with undivided allegiance to the United States, excluding those with foreign parentage such as Obama's Kenyan father, Barack Obama Sr. She emphasized that empirical proof of eligibility was essential for a commander-in-chief, given potential risks to national security from divided loyalties or fraudulent documentation in the executive branch. On November 13, 2008, Taitz filed Keyes v. Bowen in Sacramento Superior Court, representing 2008 presidential candidate and seeking an injunction against Debra Bowen certifying Obama's electoral votes until documentation confirmed natural-born status. The suit alleged Obama was likely born abroad, citing his father's Kenyan citizenship and lack of contemporaneous birth records, and demanded production of original vital records to establish undisputed facts over self-reported claims. Taitz coordinated with other skeptics, including Maricopa County Sheriff , whose Cold Case Posse in March 2012 identified nine instances of forgery in the digital layers of Obama's long-form , based on forensic analysis of the April 27, 2011, release—itself delayed nearly three years after initial short-form certification amid persistent evidentiary gaps. Taitz further publicized specific documents challenging authenticity, including a purported Kenyan birth certificate from Coast Province General Hospital in Mombasa dated August 4, 1961, which she referenced in affidavits and public statements starting in 2009 to support claims of extraterritorial birth. She also scrutinized Obama's Social Security number 042-68-4425, noting its issuance in Connecticut—a state with no residency tie to Hawaii—and sequential patterns suggesting issuance to a deceased individual born around 1890, as cross-referenced with federal databases, raising causal questions about identity verification for high office. These efforts highlighted sealed or unreleased records, including academic transcripts from Occidental College (attended 1979–1981), Columbia University (1981–1983), and Harvard Law School, as well as passport files, which obscured direct empirical confirmation of biographical claims despite constitutional imperatives for transparency in eligibility.

Other political claims and conspiracy theories

Taitz has frequently alleged systemic voter fraud in U.S. elections, particularly citing irregularities in primaries where she ran as a . After placing third in the 2012 Republican U.S. primary with 7.6% of the vote, she filed suit in federal court to invalidate results and block certification, asserting "rampant voter fraud" through mechanisms such as improper absentee ballots and unregistered voters, and calling for a special to investigate. Similarly, during her 2010 bid for , she accused rival Damon Dunn of , prompting her to file a alleging knowing false registration. These claims drew on her review of voter rolls and ballots, though courts dismissed the actions for lack of standing and evidence. Beyond her campaigns, Taitz has extended fraud allegations to national elections, including 2020 irregularities. In August 2025, she submitted an brief in v. Page, presenting exhibits purportedly documenting via manipulated vote counts and unverified ballots, framing it as part of broader compromise. She has advocated cleaning voter rolls and scrutinizing mail-in processes, tying concerns to empirical issues like outdated registrations, as in her 2011 call for audits amid documented cases of non-citizen voting probes in states like Georgia. In October 2025, Taitz cited U.S. Department of Justice monitoring of Orange County votes as validation of her warnings about local irregularities. Taitz has promoted "deep state" narratives, portraying unelected bureaucrats and agencies as orchestrating overreach against conservatives. She accused FBI personnel of anti-Trump bias based on 2017 leaked texts between agents and Lisa Page, interpreting "Viva le resistance" exchanges as evidence of coordinated resistance to undermine the 2016 election outcome. In judicial contexts, she labeled rulings against her as influence, as in critiques of Judge Emmet Sullivan's handling of Michael Flynn's case, alleging hidden evidence and unconstitutional prosecutions. These assertions align with verified events like the IRS's 2013 targeting of conservative groups via improper scrutiny of Tea Party applications, which Taitz framed as institutional weaponization, though she extended it to broader conspiratorial control without direct causal links. On cultural infiltration, Taitz warned of law's encroachment via judicial accommodation. In response to a 2010 Texas civil arbitration case where a tribunal's divorce ruling was partially upheld by a state court (later vacated on public policy grounds), she decried it as sanctioning foreign legal systems incompatible with U.S. protections, particularly for women facing potential or beatings under strict interpretations. She launched petitions against perceived pro-Sharia advocates, such as calling for commentator Sally Kohn's relocation to a Muslim-majority nation to experience its governance firsthand. These views drew on incidents like isolated U.S. arbitrations for personal disputes, which Taitz portrayed as gateways to parallel legal systems eroding constitutional supremacy, amid data showing over 85 such tribunals operating informally by 2011 per estimates from critics.

Advocacy for constitutional principles and election integrity

Taitz has operated the blog orlytaitzesq.com since approximately 2009, publishing analyses of the U.S. Constitution, economic policies, legal precedents, and threats to the , positioning herself as a defender of foundational governance structures against perceived erosions by public officials. Her commentary emphasizes strict adherence to constitutional limits on executive power and judicial integrity, with entries critiquing instances of alleged overreach and advocating for accountability mechanisms like mandatory verification of officials' qualifications. These writings, which persist into 2025, frame transparency as essential to preventing elite impunity and maintaining causal links between electoral inputs and representative outputs. A core element of Taitz's advocacy involves demanding public access to primary records verifying compliance with constitutional eligibility norms, particularly under Article II's natural-born citizen clause, to enable citizen oversight of leaders' backgrounds. By highlighting gaps in disclosed documentation, she sought to enforce empirical standards for proof, influencing broader discourse on the evidentiary burdens required for high office. This push elevated questions about baseline transparency in presidential vetting, prompting scrutiny of how unverified claims could undermine in institutions. Taitz's sustained challenges contributed to heightened awareness of eligibility verification, correlating with the White House's release of Barack Obama's long-form on , , which provided additional details beyond the 2008 short-form version amid ongoing public demands for substantiation. While her assertions of document forgery lacked empirical validation in court, the resulting disclosures addressed a portion of the transparency demands she amplified, demonstrating how persistent advocacy can yield partial governmental responses to constitutional queries. Extending this focus, Taitz has critiqued modern election processes for vulnerabilities like inaccurate voter rolls and unverified ballots, filing public challenges to irregularities in states including as recently as August 2025, with the intent of restoring verifiable integrity to and registration data. Her arguments prioritize first-hand data on discrepancies, such as non-citizen voting risks, to argue for reforms ensuring elections reflect actual voter intent without systemic dilutions. This work underscores her role in fostering debate on causal safeguards against , independent of partisan outcomes.

Lawsuits targeting Obama's presidency

Orly Taitz, as counsel for military plaintiffs, initiated Rhodes v. MacDonald in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia on July 9, 2009 (Case No. 4:09-cv-106-CDL), seeking an injunction to prevent Army Captain Connie Rhodes from deploying to on the grounds that President lacked constitutional eligibility to serve as due to alleged deficiencies in proof of natural-born . The complaint demanded discovery into Obama's birth records, , and Selective Service registration to verify compliance with Article II requirements. Taitz submitted evidentiary materials, including affidavits from private investigators asserting anomalies suggestive of in publicly released documents such as the long-form . In parallel efforts, Taitz participated in consolidated or related birther challenges, including attempts to intervene or appeal in cases like Berg v. Obama, where plaintiffs sought similar evidentiary disclosures on Obama's citizenship documentation; these actions pressed for depositions and subpoenas targeting federal agencies holding records of Obama's birth, SSN issuance, and Selective Service filing. Procedural motions in these suits emphasized demands for authentication of records, with Taitz arguing that without verified originals, Obama's chain of command authority over the military was constitutionally defective, potentially rendering orders unlawful. Courts consistently denied discovery requests, citing lack of standing for non-directly injured parties and the political question doctrine precluding judicial review of presidential qualifications post-electoral certification. Taitz filed Taitz v. Obama in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in early 2010 (Civil Action No. 10-151), personally seeking a writ of quo warranto to compel examination of Obama's eligibility, again incorporating claims of unverified birth documentation and SSN irregularities traceable to non-Hawaiian origins. Supporting filings included references to investigative affidavits alleging digital manipulations in the birth certificate layers and discrepancies in SSN prefixes not matching Hawaii residency patterns. The case advanced arguments for expedited discovery from the State Department and other custodians of Obama's records, but was dismissed for failure to establish a justiciable controversy. During Obama's first term (2009-2012), Taitz pursued multiple filings on behalf of service members and civilians, each centering procedural bids for document production and evidentiary hearings on eligibility proofs, though none progressed beyond initial motions due to jurisdictional bars. Post-reelection in 2012, Taitz extended challenges into the second term via renewed petitions in circuits including the , incorporating updated affidavits from forensic analysts questioning the authenticity of released Selective Service cards and files, while demanding subpoenas for original microfilm records. These later suits maintained focus on causal chains linking unproven to invalid executive authority, but faced summary dismissals on and grounds following reaffirmed electoral outcomes. In June 2010, Taitz filed a civil complaint in Orange County against Damon Dunn, her opponent in the Republican primary for , alleging that Dunn committed fraud by knowingly registering as a Republican despite purported ineligibility under party rules. The suit claimed Dunn's actions violated election laws and sought to invalidate his candidacy, but it was dismissed in March 2011 for lack of merit. Following her defeat in the June 2012 Republican primary for U.S. , where she received approximately 7% of the vote against winner Elizabeth Emken, Taitz asserted that irregularities and contributed to the outcome, threatening legal action against state officials. No major stemming from these claims advanced to adjudication, consistent with courts' prior rejections of her evidentiary bases in analogous filings. In November 2023, Taitz initiated a contract dispute in the for the Central District of against Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC, a Medicare administrative contractor, over recovery claims related to healthcare reimbursements. The case, transferred from state court, was terminated in February 2024 without a reported victory for Taitz. Taitz's non-eligibility filings exhibit a pattern of contesting perceived electoral and administrative improprieties, though none have resulted in favorable rulings or systemic changes, often due to insufficient standing or evidence as determined by .

Sanctions, fines, and judicial responses

In October 2009, U.S. District Judge Clay D. Land imposed a $20,000 sanction on Taitz for filing a frivolous on behalf of Stefan Cook, deeming it an abuse of the judicial process intended to obstruct military orders rather than pursue legitimate relief. The Eleventh of Appeals upheld the sanction in May 2010, and the U.S. denied Taitz's application for a stay in August 2010, effectively affirming it despite her arguments that the penalty exceeded typical bounds for similar and constituted a targeted response to eligibility challenges. Taitz appealed the ruling, filing motions for recusal of Judge Land on grounds of perceived bias and characterizing the sanction as a "legal hit job" aimed at deterring scrutiny of executive eligibility, though courts rejected these contentions without addressing donor ties or discovery suppression claims raised in her filings. In a separate 2012 proceeding involving a for records from related to Barack Obama's attendance, a judge ordered Taitz to pay $4,000 in sanctions to cover opposing counsel's costs, citing failure to satisfy basic procedural requirements for the motion. Taitz publicly contested these penalties as elements of broader harassment against challengers of official narratives, reporting death threats and intimidation directed at her and her family amid the litigation, which she linked to opponents' efforts to silence eligibility inquiries. While mainstream outlets framed the sanctions as justified responses to repetitive filings, Taitz maintained they reflected judicial overreach in preempting evidentiary review, a view echoed in critiques of institutional resistance to constitutional verification demands. The cumulative documented fines totaled at least $24,000, with Taitz pursuing further appeals and compliance only after exhaustion of remedies.

Political campaigns

2010 California Secretary of State primary

In the Republican primary for held on June 8, 2010, Orly Taitz competed against Damon Dunn and other minor , securing 372,384 votes, or 25.73% of the total, to finish second behind Dunn's 1,074,816 votes (74.27%). This substantial share for a primarily known for birther advocacy demonstrated notable appeal among conservative voters, particularly those prioritizing verification over establishment-backed figures like Dunn, a former NBA player with ties to party insiders. Taitz's performance outperformed expectations for an outsider, capturing turnout from a base frustrated with perceived lapses in eligibility scrutiny, as evidenced by her focus on leveraging the 's authority to demand documentary proof of natural-born citizenship for presidential hopefuls. Taitz's campaign platform centered on restoring integrity to California's electoral processes, arguing that the Secretary of State must rigorously vet federal candidates' qualifications to prevent ineligible individuals from appearing on ballots. She specifically pledged to require to produce verifiable evidence of U.S. birth, citing the office's constitutional duty under Article II to certify only qualified nominees, a stance rooted in her ongoing eligibility challenges. This emphasis resonated amid widespread conservative skepticism toward Obama's documentation, with Taitz positioning herself as a bulwark against what she described as systemic failures in voter safeguards, drawing support from grassroots networks mobilized by similar concerns. Her vote tally, representing over a quarter of Republican primary participants despite limited mainstream party endorsement, underscored empirical discontent with incumbents and conventional nominees, signaling the birther movement's capacity to influence primary dynamics in a large state like .

2012 U.S. Senate campaign

In the 2012 U.S. Senate election in California, Orly Taitz sought the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Democrat Dianne Feinstein, who had held the seat since 1992. California's newly implemented top-two primary system, approved by voters in 2010, allowed all candidates to compete on a single ballot regardless of party affiliation, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election. Taitz participated in the June 5, 2012, presidential primary election, where she received 154,781 votes, comprising 3.1% of the total primary vote. This performance placed her second among Republican candidates, behind Elizabeth Emken's 651,011 votes (13.0%), and accounted for approximately 15% of the combined votes for major Republican contenders. Feinstein dominated with 2,979,837 votes (59.7%), securing first place overall and advancing alongside Emken to the general election, where Feinstein won decisively. Taitz's campaign emphasized fiscal conservatism and economic revitalization amid widespread anti-incumbent sentiment following the and ongoing recession. In her official candidate statement, she proposed a five-year tax moratorium for companies repatriating operations to the U.S. or creating new American jobs, coupled with a dollar-for-dollar based on revenue generated from those jobs. She advocated reducing federal debt and dismantling regulations perceived as stifling employment, framing these as essential to restoring opportunities for California's youth and holding government accountable. The platform also highlighted Taitz's prior legal efforts to demand transparency regarding President Barack Obama's eligibility documentation, including claims of a forged , an invalid Connecticut-issued , and records of Indonesian citizenship. The campaign garnered media attention primarily due to Taitz's prominence as a leader in the birther movement, positioning her as a vocal of the political establishment in a field of 24 candidates. Her run reflected broader conservative frustrations with long-term incumbents like Feinstein, though it did not propel her past the crowded Republican field in the .

2014 California Attorney General primary

Taitz declared her candidacy for in the 2014 election cycle, positioning herself as a defender of constitutional rights against perceived federal encroachments. The election featured California's top-two system, held on June 3, 2014, where all candidates appeared on a single ballot and the two highest vote-getters advanced to the general election regardless of party. Running as a candidate with no party preference, Taitz emphasized nullifying federal actions she deemed unconstitutional, including NSA surveillance programs, data collection via tech companies, the Affordable Care Act's tax provisions, Environmental Protection Agency mandates impacting agriculture and water resources, under the , and unfunded federal mandates straining state finances. Her platform also targeted election integrity, pledging to end voter fraud, purge invalid registrations from databases, verify candidate legitimacy, and prosecute state officials for disregarding evidence of irregularities, such as those related to Barack Obama's documentation. Taitz advocated redirecting recoveries to assist homeowners and creditors rather than political allies, and nullifying agreements like NAFTA and the for undermining jobs and environmental standards. These commitments reflected her broader advocacy for state sovereignty and resistance to centralized authority, though they drew limited support in a field dominated by incumbent and several Republican contenders. In the primary, Taitz received 130,451 votes, comprising 3.2% of the statewide total. Harris led with 2,177,480 votes (53.2%), followed by Ronald Gold with 504,091 (12.3%), securing the general matchup; Taitz placed seventh among eight candidates and did not advance. The outcome underscored a diminished electoral footprint for Taitz compared to her earlier prominence in national controversies, amid a crowded Republican field and Harris's strong incumbency.

International ties and activities

Connections to Israel

Orly Taitz emigrated from the to in 1981 at age 21, joining an uncle there after leaving Kishinev, , amid the regime's suppression of Jewish emigration and cultural expression. She resided in for six years, during which she learned Hebrew and earned a degree from the , experiences that she has described as formative in embracing democratic freedoms and Western values contrasting with Soviet . This period preceded her relocation to the in 1987, where she married Yosef Taitz, an Israeli she met post-arrival, and integrated Hebrew into her family life. Taitz's heritage ties to Israel underpin her public advocacy for the country's security, often linking it to broader defenses of Jewish self-determination and opposition to threats like Hamas and Hezbollah. In 2006, she attended a pro-Israel rally in Irvine, California, during the Israel-Lebanon War, and her family participated in an AIPAC convention in Washington, D.C., reflecting ongoing engagement with pro-Israel networks. Through her blogging and statements, Taitz has criticized U.S. policies under Barack Obama as a "clear and present danger to Israel," arguing they undermine the nation's defenses and embolden adversaries, a stance that garnered her notable support among some Israeli audiences amid her "birther" activism. Her writings frequently highlight antisemitism in global politics, framing Israel's resilience as essential to countering anti-Jewish ideologies rooted in her Soviet-era observations of suppressed Jewish identity.

Broader international engagements

In February 2010, Taitz submitted a formal complaint to the , alleging persecution in the United States through death threats, judicial sanctions, and professional repercussions tied to her activism. She enlisted attorney Jonathan Levy to advocate for a UN investigation into these claims, framing them as violations of international standards. The appeal highlighted her assertions of systemic retaliation but received no substantive response or intervention from the UN Council. Taitz's Soviet-era upbringing in , marked by state-enforced and suppression of dissent that prompted her family's in , has shaped her commentary on global . She has linked these experiences to critiques of regimes employing concealment and , extending to analyses where she urges decisive action against expansionist powers. For instance, amid Russia's 2022 invasion of , Taitz endorsed economic isolation of , arguing that the European Union's continued imports of 710,000 metric tons of Russian oil and gas undermine efforts to compel an end to the conflict. Her broader influence remains indirect, channeled through U.S.-based blogging on affairs rather than formal diplomatic roles.

Public reception and media portrayal

Media appearances and coverage

Orly Taitz gained significant media visibility through interviews on conservative-leaning outlets such as , where she presented arguments challenging Barack Obama's presidential eligibility with her characteristic intensity. Appearances on included a 2024 clip discussing Obama's and a 2013 segment covering a she led. Mainstream networks like MSNBC featured Taitz in confrontational interviews, such as an August 2009 exchange with that highlighted tensions over birther claims, often framing her as an outlier. Coverage in outlets including and frequently labeled her the "birther queen," a term underscoring perceived fringe status amid her legal efforts, though such monikers reflected editorial against eligibility scrutiny rather than neutral reporting. Taitz's personal blog, orlytaitzesq.com, served as her primary platform for disseminating updates, documents, and commentary, amplifying her reach beyond traditional media. Viral moments, including 2009 press conferences and related videos, contributed to her prominence during the height of birther discourse. Media attention peaked from 2009 to 2012, coinciding with her lawsuits and political campaigns, before shifting to niche conservative audiences; post-2012 coverage diminished but persisted in contexts revisiting Obama-era controversies.

Supporters, achievements, and impact

Taitz garnered support from segments of the conservative grassroots, including Tea Party activists who shared her concerns over presidential eligibility requirements under Article II of the U.S. Constitution. She met with Maricopa County Sheriff in October 2011 to discuss investigations into alleged irregularities in Barack Obama's birth records, aligning with Arpaio's subsequent Posse probe launched that year. Early in her advocacy, Taitz reported connections with Republican National Committee Chairman , whom she described as a friend supportive of her eligibility challenges. These alliances reflected backing from figures skeptical of Obama's vetting process, though broader Republican leadership often distanced itself amid legal setbacks. Her primary achievements included filing over a dozen lawsuits from 2008 to 2012 contesting Obama's placement on ballots and eligibility to serve, which, despite uniform dismissals, amplified public scrutiny of constitutional natural-born citizenship standards. Through media appearances and online organizing, Taitz mobilized thousands of conservative activists, coordinating petitions and rallies that pressured for transparency in Obama's records; this culminated in the White House's release of the long-form on April 27, 2011, which Obama cited as a response to ongoing distractions from such inquiries. Her efforts highlighted empirical gaps in verifiable documentation, forcing discourse on first-principles verification of leaders' qualifications amid resistance from official sources. Taitz's sustained advocacy contributed to a lasting impact by mainstreaming eligibility vetting within conservative circles, fostering emphasis on causal in over deference to institutional narratives. This scrutiny paralleled later validations of initial skepticism, such as the 2020 Hunter Biden laptop story, where media and tech platforms initially suppressed reporting later confirmed authentic by federal investigations, reinforcing patterns of distrust toward unexamined official claims. Her work thus underscored the value of persistent empirical challenges, influencing ongoing conservative demands for transparency in political records and eligibility proofs.

Criticisms, controversies, and personal challenges

Taitz has been widely labeled a conspiracy theorist by mainstream media outlets and legal observers for her central role in the "birther" movement, which questioned Barack Obama's constitutional eligibility for the based on claims of foreign birth and related documentation irregularities. Critics, including journalists and political analysts, argued that her assertions relied on unverified documents and selective interpretations, often dismissing them as baseless without detailed forensic rebuttals of specifics like alleged anomalies, where Taitz claimed Obama used a number (042-68-4425) issued in but not matching his biographical details or linked to a deceased from the . Such coverage frequently emphasized elements, such as her confrontational media appearances—exemplified by a 2009 MSNBC exchange where she accused host of bias—over empirical engagement with her evidence, reflecting a pattern in left-leaning media to normalize rejection of challenges to Obama's record. Federal courts repeatedly sanctioned Taitz for filing frivolous lawsuits, deeming them abusive of judicial process. In October 2009, U.S. District Judge Clay Land imposed a $20,000 fine on her in Rhodes v. MacDonald, ruling that her claims lacked any factual or legal basis and were pursued for publicity rather than merit, stating she was "toying with the court." This sanction was upheld by the 11th of Appeals and, in August 2010, by the U.S. , which denied her for , reinforcing perceptions among detractors that her legal tactics bordered on ethical lapses. While Taitz contested these as overly punitive, critics highlighted procedural failures, such as failing to redact sensitive information in filings, as evidence of incompetence; however, observers note uneven application of such strictures compared to analogous challenges from progressive litigants in disputes, where courts have occasionally tolerated broader standing arguments. On a personal level, Taitz faced reported , including threats, to her dental office and vehicle, and what she described as orchestrated false complaints to the state bar, prompting her to petition the for protection in February 2010 amid fears of assassination attempts and media-fueled assaults. Her husband, Yefim Taitz, a fellow Soviet and dentist, provided steadfast support during this scrutiny, managing family affairs as she balanced activism with professional duties. Detractors, including left-leaning commentators, often portrayed these incidents as exaggerated or self-induced publicity stunts, yet the absence of thorough investigations into her claims—coupled with institutional biases in reporting—left unresolved questions about the extent of targeted intimidation against high-profile conservative challengers.

Later activism and ongoing influence

Post-2016 political involvement

Following Donald Trump's election in November 2016, Orly Taitz expressed continued support for his administration, viewing it as an extension of her long-standing opposition to perceived establishment corruption exemplified by Barack Obama's presidency. Taitz had endorsed Trump's presidential campaign earlier that year, albeit with reservations after initially favoring in the Republican primaries. She praised Trump's focus on issues like and , aligning these with her advocacy for strict verification of citizenship and eligibility in public office. Taitz prominently criticized investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election as a fabricated "" orchestrated to undermine Trump. In multiple blog posts and public statements between 2017 and 2019, she argued that the probes, including those led by , relied on unverified intelligence and served as a deep-state effort to delegitimize the election results, echoing Trump's own characterizations. She supported congressional and Justice Department inquiries into the , citing declassified documents such as the as evidence of political bias in its initiation under Obama-era officials. During the 2020 presidential election, Taitz shifted emphasis toward allegations of widespread voter fraud, demanding forensic audits and decertification in key states. She highlighted purported irregularities in Arizona's Maricopa County, where an independent audit initiated in 2021 by Cyber Ninjas—prompted by state Senate Republicans—identified issues with up to 700,000 ballots, including chain-of-custody concerns and duplicate votes, which she cited as grounds for invalidating results. Taitz filed legal challenges and urged state legislatures to convene special sessions for recounts, framing these efforts as essential to restoring beyond individual candidates. This marked a broadening of her activism from Obama-era eligibility disputes to systemic vulnerabilities in voting processes and technology. Taitz also addressed emerging concerns over technology platforms' role in information suppression, accusing firms of censoring content questioning the 2020 election outcomes and prior narratives like the Russia probe. She contended that algorithms and moderation policies on platforms such as and disproportionately targeted conservative voices, including her own, thereby influencing public discourse and electoral fairness.

Recent activities and blogging ()

In the 2020s, Orly Taitz maintained an active online presence through her blog at orlytaitzesq.com, where she published frequent commentary on American politics, constitutional issues, and global affairs up to at least October 2025. Her posts critiqued the Biden administration's policies, including perceived failures in border security amid a surge in , framing these as erosions of national sovereignty and . Taitz argued that lax enforcement enabled criminal elements and strained resources, often linking such critiques to broader claims of judicial and institutional bias favoring progressive agendas over constitutional fidelity. During the 2024 U.S. presidential election cycle, Taitz's blogging intensified with skepticism toward official narratives, exemplified by a September 7, 2024, post questioning the timing of multiple shootings as potentially orchestrated to influence voter sentiment just before voting. Following Donald Trump's victory, she continued posting on policy implications, such as a October 26, 2025, entry discussing new tariffs on Canadian imports as a corrective measure to imbalances. Taitz also addressed international migration concerns, highlighting the arrival of Afrikaner refugees from on May 12, 2025, whom she portrayed as victims of land expropriation and violence, contrasting this with domestic border laxity. While Taitz filed no major new lawsuits in this period comparable to her earlier activism, her influence persisted through the blog's reach, amassing readership among conservative audiences focused on election integrity and themes. Posts as recent as October 13, 2025, reiterated calls for vigilance against alleged deep-state manipulations, underscoring her ongoing role in online discourse without reliance on traditional media platforms.

References

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  32. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/we-need-to-clean-up-elections-fraud/
  33. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/i-feel-vindicated-us-department-of-justice-will-be-sending-official-monitors-to-orange-county-ca-and-some-other-counties-to-monitor-the-november-5-redistricting-vote/
  34. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/huge-deep-state-is-already-attempting-to-minimize-corrupt-actions-of-second-set-of-fbi-lovers-from-mueller-team-who-texted-viva-le-resistance-to-take-out-trump/
  35. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/judge-sullivan-and-deep-state-attorneys-argue-government-can-continue-to-charge-you-hide-evidence-fine-you-and-bankrupt-you-after-charges-are-dropped/
  36. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/what-if-the-islamic-court-decides-that-the-wife-should-be-beaten-or-stoned-will-the-supreme-court-of-tx-uphold-such-ruling-is-this-completely-insane-or-what-are-we-now-somewhere-in-twilight-zone-o/
  37. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/sign-the-petition-to-send-this-nauseating-pro-sharia-law-lesbian-sally-kohn-to-a-sharia-ruled-muslim-country/
  38. https://www.politifact.com/article/2019/sep/03/ask-politifact-no-sharia-law-does-not-trump-us-law/
  39. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/
  40. https://www.politico.com/story/2011/04/birtherism-where-it-all-began-053563
  41. https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37391652
  42. https://www.facebook.com/groups/LBpolitics/posts/24740347078937475/
  43. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/georgia/gamdce/4:2009cv00106/77605/28/
  44. https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/rhodes-v-macdonald-case-885533580
  45. https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/59146631add7b0493429ab66
  46. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-txnd-2_11-cv-00090/pdf/USCOURTS-txnd-2_11-cv-00090-5.pdf
  47. https://www.courthousenews.com/fellow-birthers-peck-at-orly-taitz-in-9th-circuit/
  48. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/georgia/gamdce/4:2009cv00106/77605/17/
  49. https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2470797/taitz-v-obama/
  50. https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/taitz-v-obama-civil-894379331
  51. https://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2009/10/brutal-ruling-quashes-birthers-suit-022444
  52. https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.caed.248085/gov.uscourts.caed.248085.12.0.pdf
  53. https://www.foiaproject.org/case_detail?title=on&style=foia&case_id=24161
  54. https://www.scribd.com/document/33743835/TAITZ-v-DUNN-Complaint-DisplayPdf-do
  55. https://unicourt.com/case/ca-ora2-orly-taitz-dr-vs-damon-dunn-296233
  56. https://www.ocregister.com/2011/03/18/birthplace-lawyer-orly-taitz-loses-election-suit-2/
  57. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/8:2023cv02204/906595
  58. https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/51485582/Orly_Taitz_v_Noridian_Healthcare_Solutions%2C_LLC
  59. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2009/10/judge_smacks_down_birther_orly.html
  60. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna33315604
  61. https://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Land-sanction-order-10-13-09.pdf
  62. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-to-orly-taitz-pay-up-for-birther-litigation/
  63. https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/us_supreme_court_to_attorney_orly_taitz_pay_the_20k_fine
  64. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article29062336.html
  65. https://theoccidentalnews.com/uncategorized/2016/01/01/taitz-loses-court-case-to-occidental-over-obamas-records/2882740
  66. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/ipdate-03-17-10-motion-for-reconsideration-in-cook-v-good-filed-with-the-11th-circuit-court-of-appeals/
  67. https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2010&fips=6&f=0&off=7&elect=2
  68. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/in-california-elections-whitman-fiorina-win-orly-taitz-falls-short/
  69. https://www.ocregister.com/2010/03/17/birther-lawyer-taitz-running-for-secretary-of-state/
  70. https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38212_Page2.html
  71. https://www.fec.gov/documents/1681/2012congresults.pdf
  72. https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/primary/pdf/english/us-senate-candidate-statements.pdf
  73. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/05/california-republican-senate-race-clusterfudge-orly-taitz/
  74. https://patch.com/california/lagunaniguel-danapoint/interview-dr-orly-taitz
  75. https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2014/primary/pdf/en/candidate-statements.pdf
  76. https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2014-primary/pdf/2014-complete-sov.pdf
  77. https://www.haaretz.com/2009-08-18/ty-article/orly-taitz-obama-policies-are-clear-and-present-danger-to-israel/0000017f-db47-d856-a37f-ffc7658b0000
  78. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/02/orly-taitz-begs-un-for-protection/341298/
  79. https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/2/22/839675/-Crazy-Orly-asks-UN-for-protection-from-persecution
  80. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/trump-is-right-eu-imports-710000-metric-tons-of-oil-and-gas-from-russia-time-to-end-it-if-they-are-serious-about-ending-the-war-in-ukraine/
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  97. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/breaking-nearly-700000-ballots-in-arizona-identified-with-issues-from-the-audit-and-canvassing-work-to-date-time-for-az-senate-to-decertify-the-election/comment-page-1/
  98. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/like-a-clock-multiple-shootings-right-before-the-election/
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  100. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/628139-2/
  101. https://www.orlytaitzesq.com/630478-2/
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