• Trump accuses Obama of orchestrating a coup, labeling it 'treason.'
• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard alleges intelligence manipulation by Obama’s team.
• Obama's spokesperson dismisses Trump's claims as "bizarre" and "ridiculous."
• Trump calls for consequences against Obama and former officials.
• Investigations affirm Russian interference in the 2016 election, discrediting Trump's claims.

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched serious allegations against former President Barack Obama, accusing him of "treason" in connection to supposed efforts to manipulate the 2016 presidential election results. During an appearance alongside Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office, Trump declared, "They tried to steal the election. They tried to obfuscate the election," referencing unspecified evidence that he claims proves Obama's involvement in a conspiracy to undermine his presidency, according to aa, abcnews, scmp, and reuters.

The Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has echoed Trump's sentiments, asserting that Obama directed the manipulation of intelligence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election. At a recent press briefing, Gabbard claimed, "There is irrefutable evidence that details how President Obama and his national security team directed the creation of an intelligence community assessment that they knew was false," suggesting this was part of a "years-long coup," as reported by trtglobal and africanews.

Obama's representatives have consistently refuted these claims, labeling them a "weak attempt at distraction." They affirmed that nothing in Gabbard's recent findings contradicts the consensus that Russia sought to influence the election but did not successfully manipulate any votes. A spokesperson stated, "These bizarre allegations are ridiculous," emphasizing the widely accepted conclusions related to Russian interference, as indicated by reuters and bbc.

Trump's incendiary rhetoric comes during heightened scrutiny of his administration related to issues like the Jeffrey Epstein case, suggesting a strategy to divert attention from his controversies. "It's time to go after people," Trump announced, reiterating his suspicions about Obama and others, framing his accusations against them within a larger narrative of conspiracy and betrayal, according to aljazeera and aljazeera.

This incident marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse around the 2016 election and its aftermath, as Trump continues to redefine the narrative surrounding Russian involvement and its perceived implications for his presidency. As political tensions escalate, the implications of Gabbard's claims and Trump's accusations may further drive partisan divides, drawing attention from ongoing investigations and issues within his administration, as concluded by reuters and trtglobal.