July 23, 2025
These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.
Patrick Rodenbush, spokesperson for Fmr. President Obama, responding to claims that the former president and members of his administration attempted to undermine the 2016 election of President Trump by manipulating intelligence and leaking it to the press.
Why It Matters: As per tradition, former U.S. Presidents rarely issue responses to critique or compliments. This statement breaks with past precedent and speaks to the seriousness of these allegations by the current White House.
More Context: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a declassified report Friday, alleging that Fmr. Pres. Obama and members of his administration attempted to “subvert the will of the American people and try to usurp the President from fulfilling his mandate.”
Then on Wednesday, during a White House press briefing, DNI Gabbard disclosed “key findings” from newly released documents: a declassified 2020 House Intelligence Committee report investigating claims that Obama-era officials “manufactured” evidence suggesting Russia interfered in the 2016 election on behalf of President Trump.
Democrats have raised questions about the timing of this release, coming as critic of the White House’s handling of the Epstein investigation continues to gather momentum.
Full Statement from the Office of Fmr. Pres. Obama:
“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. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction. Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes. These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.”
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by Stephanie Wagner, based in Florida
