President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of treason in a series of posts on Truth Social on Jan 29, sharing conspiracy theories and unfounded claims in what critics described as an unhinged posting spree.
In one post on his Truth Social site, Trump shared a video from last summer in which he claimed Obama was caught trying to rig elections, along with former President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former FBI director James Comey.
“Barack Hussein Obama is the ringleader,” Trump claimed in the video. “It’s there, he’s guilty. This was treason, this was every word you can think of,” he added.
No evidence has emerged for the claims Trump made in his posts. The accusations come as federal agents shot and killed two citizens in Minneapolis, prompting calls for Trump to help turn down the national temperature. Instead, the president engaged in what observers characterized as a posting spree sharing memes, conspiracy theories and outright lies.
Trump also shared a bizarre post claiming China, Iran, Italy and others all worked with Obama to install Biden as a puppet, though there is no evidence for any of that either. The president has for years pushed conspiracy theories about the 2016 and 2020 elections, continuing a pattern of making unfounded allegations about electoral integrity.
Earlier that day, the FBI executed a search warrant at a Georgia election office. Georgia is the same state where Trump infamously demanded that the Republican secretary of state find enough votes for him to win during a phone call he made after losing the 2020 election. The FBI action highlights Trump’s ongoing obsession with 2020 election claims that have been repeatedly debunked.
During the posting spree, Trump also shared two posts claiming that Walmart would be closing 250 stores in California due to the state’s 22 dollar minimum wage. The Walmart closure claims are not true, but Trump included these lies along with other attacks against California and its Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, who is considering a run for president in 2028.
Newsom fired back at Trump’s claims with a response from his Press Office account, pushing back on what he characterized as false information being spread by the president. The exchange reflects the ongoing political tensions between Trump and potential Democratic challengers as the 2028 presidential race begins to take shape.
The posting activity on Truth Social was extensive, demonstrating the president’s continued reliance on his own social media platform to communicate directly with supporters and attack perceived enemies. Social media has become a primary vehicle for Trump to bypass traditional media outlets and spread his message, though critics argue this approach often leads to the dissemination of misinformation.
Trump’s attacks extended beyond Obama to include other political figures and current events. He attacked Alex Pretti in a middle-of-night post. Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents during a confrontation in Minneapolis on Jan 24. A video showed a Pretti confrontation 11 days before the shooting, and Trump called Pretti possibly an insurrectionist in his overnight posting.
An attorney for Pretti said the shooting was unjustified. Critics called the Trump post depraved, noting that the president was attacking a deceased American citizen in the middle of the night rather than addressing concerns about the use of federal force.
Pretti was the second citizen killed by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. Renee Good was also shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on Jan. 7. The two killings have triggered protests and calls for a national ICE Out strike on Jan. 30, reflecting growing concern about federal immigration enforcement tactics and the use of deadly force.
The violence in Minneapolis has raised questions about the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and the rules of engagement for federal agents operating in American cities. Civil liberties advocates have expressed alarm about what they describe as an escalation of force against American citizens during immigration operations.
The posting spree represents a continuation of Trump’s communication style, which frequently includes making serious accusations without evidence, sharing unverified claims and attacking political opponents. This approach has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans who argue the president should exercise more restraint, particularly during times of national tension.
Trump’s use of Truth Social as his primary platform reflects the evolution of presidential communication in the digital age. The platform was created after Trump was banned from mainstream social media sites following the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Since returning to office, Trump has continued to favor his own platform for making announcements and sharing his views.
The accusations against Obama mark an escalation in rhetoric between the current and former presidents. While political opponents often criticize each other, accusing a former president of treason is highly unusual and raises questions about the current state of American political discourse.
Legal experts note that treason has a specific constitutional definition and requires providing aid to enemies of the United States during wartime. The allegations Trump made do not meet this standard, and no evidence has been presented to support claims of any criminal wrongdoing by Obama related to elections.
The pattern of posting on Jan 29 included attacks on multiple Democratic figures and promotion of various conspiracy theories, reflecting what critics describe as an effort to deflect attention from other issues facing the administration. The volume and nature of the posts have raised concerns among some observers about the president’s focus and priorities.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach and the 2028 presidential race begins to take shape, Trump’s continued focus on past elections and attacks on political opponents suggests these themes will remain central to his political strategy. The posting spree on Jan 29 offers a preview of what may be a contentious political landscape in the months and years ahead.