After Summit with Philippine President

When Reporters Asked About Epstein

Suddenly Brought Up Former President Obama

Accused Him as Main Culprit Behind Russian Interference in US Election

"Committed Treason and Tried to Stage a Coup"

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Recently, as Donald Trump, President of the United States, has been cornered by the 'Epstein allegations,' he named former President Barack Obama as the main culprit behind a 'coup' on July 22, 2025. Former President Obama, who had consistently refrained from responding, issued a rare critical statement, strongly asserting that this was "an attempt to distract attention."

On this day, during a summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, President Trump dismissed reporters' questions about Epstein as a "witch hunt" and abruptly brought up former President Obama.

President Trump cited the announcement made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on July 18, claiming, "This is irrefutable evidence," and argued, "There is evidence that Obama committed treason and tried to stage a coup." Previously, Director Gabbard had released materials, stating that officials in the Obama administration manipulated information to make it appear as if Russia had interfered in the 2016 US presidential election.

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Obama, Who Had Consistently Remained Silent, Issues Rare Critical Statement

Reuters: "Trump Has Often Criticized Obama,

But This Is the First Time He Has Raised Criminal Allegations"

Patrick Rodenbush, spokesperson for former President Obama's office, responded in a statement to the media, saying, "This bizarre allegation raised by President Trump and Director of National Intelligence Gabbard is a powerless attempt to distract attention," and called it "absurd." The statement went on to emphasize, "None of the released materials undermine the widely accepted conclusion that 'Russia tried to influence the 2016 US presidential election but did not succeed in manipulating the vote.'"

In fact, a bipartisan committee of the US Senate and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) concluded in a 2017 report, during President Trump's first term, that Russia intended to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election. Two years later, in 2019, then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded that neither President Trump nor his campaign coordinated or colluded with Russia.

Reuters reported, "President Trump has frequently criticized former President Obama since returning to the White House in January, but this is the first time he has escalated matters by raising criminal allegations."

On the 17th (local time), at a protest criticizing the Donald Trump administration held in Houston, Texas, a protester participated holding a sign urging the disclosure of files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News

Meanwhile, President Trump has faced political risk due to controversy surrounding the 'guest list' of billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Recently, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that President Trump had sent obscene letters to Epstein in the past, and it has been reported that President Trump has filed a lawsuit against the media outlet.