As controversy swirls around the lack of transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein case, Donald Trump appears to be redirecting attention elsewhere—this time by reigniting one of his most dramatic claims yet.
On Tuesday, Trump accused former President Barack Obama of committing treason, calling for his prosecution over a new report that suggests Obama-era officials manipulated intel about Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Report Triggers Explosive Allegations
The explosive claims stem from a recent report published last Friday.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced that she had submitted criminal referrals to the Department of Justice, alleging that top Obama officials conspired to falsify intelligence about Russian election interference.
According to Gabbard, this was all part of a grand scheme to undermine Trump’s presidency—a so-called “years-long coup.”
Evidence Clashes with Conspiracy Claims
However, Gabbard’s accusations were quickly dismissed by many, as they contradict multiple investigations conducted between 2019 and 2023.
These included criminal, counterintelligence, and independent watchdog probes—all of which concluded that Russia did interfere in the 2016 election to benefit Trump.
None of the inquiries found evidence of a coordinated anti-Trump conspiracy within the Obama administration.
Trump Doubles Down at Oval Office Briefing
Despite the pushback, Trump didn’t hold back when asked during a press briefing in the Oval Office alongside visiting Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos.
When questioned about who should be prosecuted based on the report, Trump pointed the finger directly at Obama.
“Based on what I read—it would be President Obama.
He started it,” Trump said, just one day after being slammed for sharing an AI-generated video that falsely depicted Obama being arrested.
Trump Names More “Conspirators”
Trump also went on to name other key figures from Obama’s administration.
He listed then-Vice President Joe Biden, former FBI Director James Comey, ex-DNI chief James Clapper, and former CIA Director John Brennan as co-conspirators.
Still, he emphasized that Obama was the supposed “leader of the gang” and directly accused him of treason.
This isn’t a new narrative from Trump, who has repeatedly labeled the Russia investigations and their findings as part of a fabricated “witch hunt.”
Obama’s Camp Fires Back: “Ridiculous Distraction”
Unsurprisingly, Trump’s fiery remarks drew sharp criticism.
Obama’s office dismissed the treason accusations as “ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction,” especially as Trump faces increasing heat for not releasing files related to the Epstein investigation—a topic causing unrest within his own MAGA following.
Spokesman Patrick Rodenbush reiterated that the recent intelligence report did not undermine the long-established conclusion that while Russia attempted to influence the 2016 election, they were unsuccessful in manipulating actual vote counts.
Senate Report Supports Russian Interference Claims
Adding weight to Obama’s defense, a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report—led in 2020 by then-chair Marco Rubio, who now serves as Trump’s Secretary of State—confirmed Russia’s interference.
The report found that Trump’s campaign worked to amplify the impact of leaks involving Democratic documents stolen by Russian operatives.
The report stated plainly that the Kremlin’s objective was to assist Trump and harm Hillary Clinton.
It also described the incident as “one of the most serious counterintelligence threats to American national security in modern history.”
Is This a Strategic Diversion?
Many critics believe Trump’s latest barrage of claims is more about changing the narrative than pursuing justice.
With growing demands for him to release key Epstein-related files, the timing of his renewed Obama attacks feels suspicious to some observers.