Obama Denies Trump’s 2016 Election Coup Accusations Amid Intelligence Dispute

President Donald Trump has accused former President Barack Obama and his administration of orchestrating a conspiracy to manipulate intelligence and undermine Trump's 2016 election victory, alleging a years-long coup against his presidency. These accusations, supported by statements from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, claim that Obama and national security officials politicized intelligence regarding Russian interference. In response, Obama's office issued a rare and strong rebuke, calling the allegations "outrageous," "ridiculous," and a "weak attempt at distraction," reaffirming that Russia sought to influence the 2016 election but did not manipulate votes, as confirmed by bipartisan reports. Gabbard's accusations against Obama have also drawn criticism, with some viewing her claims as a diversion from controversies surrounding Trump and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The ongoing dispute reflects a broader political struggle, with Trump and his allies attempting to shift focus from Epstein-related scrutiny by targeting Obama and previous intelligence assessments. Obama’s spokesperson emphasized respect for the presidency but condemned the persistent misinformation emanating from the current administration.