Former US President Barack Obama has hit back at claims by Donald Trump that he committed “treason” in relation to the 2016 election, calling the accusations “ridiculous” and “a weak attempt at distraction.”
Mr Trump made the remarks during an Oval Office meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., claiming that Mr Obama had tried to rig the 2016 vote and “got caught.” The Republican former president added, “It’s time to go after people… Obama’s been caught directly… He’s guilty. This was treason.”
In response, Mr Obama’s office issued a rare public statement refuting the claims. “These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction,” the statement read.
The accusations followed the release of an intelligence report by Trump-appointed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, which some Trump allies say undermines the Obama administration’s stance on Russian interference. However, Obama’s office pointed out that the report “contains nothing new” and does not contradict established findings.
The statement cited a 2020 bipartisan report by the Senate Intelligence Committee, led by Republican Senator Marco Rubio, which confirmed Russia had interfered in the election to support Mr Trump—but found no evidence votes were changed.
Mr Obama’s office noted that neither he nor 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton ever claimed Russia flipped votes, focusing instead on the broader influence campaign involving hacked emails and disinformation.
Critics argue Mr Trump’s renewed attacks are aimed at deflecting attention from renewed scrutiny over his links to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and growing calls to release related Department of Justice files.
While Mr Trump’s base continues to rally around such claims, political analysts warn the rhetoric risks fuelling further division ahead of future US elections.
