Gov. Rick Perry opened speculation about whether he is a birther after he gave an unclear answer to the question about President Obama’s birth place in Sunday’s Parade Magazine.

Perry called it a “distractive issue” but gave no definitive answer concerning what he believes, only mentioning he had dinner with Donald Trump, who still doubts the authenticity of the birth certificate provided by the Obama administration last April, according to Perry.

When Perry was asked what he thought of the birth certificate, he answered, “I don’t have any idea.”

A spokesman for Perry said his answer on the matter was very clear.

Trump, who is being courted by nearly every Republican presidential candidate, led a crusade last April to force President Obama to disclose his long form birth certificate amidst accusations he was not born in this country.

Full exchange below:

Governor, do you believe that President Barack Obama was born in the United States?

–I have no reason to think otherwise.

That’s not a definitive, “Yes, I believe he…”

– Well, I don’t have a definitive answer, because he’s never seen my birth certificate.

But you’ve seen his.

–I don’t know. Have I?

You don’t believe what’s been released?

–I don’t know. I had dinner with Donald Trump the other night.

And?

–That came up.

And he said?

–He doesn’t think it’s real.

And you said?

–I don’t have any idea. It doesn’t matter. He’s the president of the United States. He’s elected. It’s a distractive issue.