Former President Barack Obama responded to Donald Trump’s accusations that he tried to rig the 2016 and 2020 elections, calling the claims “a weak attempt at distraction.” Obama’s spokesperson, Patrick Rodenbush, issued a rare public statement, dismissing Trump’s remarks as “ludicrous” and typically beneath response, but necessary this time due to their extremity.

The statement also rejected Tulsi Gabbard’s 11-page report, which accused Obama officials of treason and called for prosecutions. Rodenbush emphasized that no new evidence challenged the bipartisan conclusion that while Russia attempted to interfere in 2016, no votes were altered. He cited a 2020 report by the Senate Intelligence Committee, then chaired by Republican Marco Rubio.

Trump made the accusations during a July 22 Oval Office meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., using a question about Jeffrey Epstein to pivot and claim that Obama had been “caught” and committed “treason.” Trump alleged that Obama tried to steal the election and engaged in misconduct “even in other nations.”

Meanwhile, controversy swirled as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi blocked the release of further Epstein files. MAGA supporters and critics alike viewed Trump’s remarks as an attempt to deflect attention from himself, with Epstein’s case becoming a hot topic at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit.