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'Baseless, weak attempt at distraction': Obama slams Trump over ‘treason' claim amid Russia 'hoax' investigation
Former US President Barack Obama and US President-elect Donald Trump speak ahead of the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, DC, US. File Image/Pool via Reuters
Former President Barack Obama's office has forcefully rejected Donald Trump's accusation that Obama committed 'treason' during the 2016 election, calling the claim 'bizarre,' 'ridiculous,' and a 'weak attempt at distraction.'
In a rare statement issued on Tuesday, Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said, 'Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one.'
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Rodenbush added, 'These bizarre allegations are baseless and a clear effort to divert attention. Nothing in the recently released document contradicts the well-established conclusion that Russia sought to influence the 2016 election but did not alter any votes. These findings were reaffirmed in a 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.'
Trump had earlier accused Obama of 'treason,' claiming—without evidence—that the former president led a scheme to falsely tie him to Russia and sabotage his 2016 campaign.
The remarks came after Trump referenced comments made by his intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, who on Friday suggested that Obama-era officials could face prosecution over their handling of intelligence assessments on Russian interference.
She declassified documents and said the information she was releasing showed a 'treasonous conspiracy' in 2016 by top Obama administration officials to undermine Trump.
'It's there, he's guilty. This was treason,' Trump said on Tuesday. 'They tried to steal the election, they tried to obfuscate the election. They did things that nobody's ever imagined, even in other countries.'
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40 minutes ago
- NDTV
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an hour ago
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an hour ago
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