WASHINGTON (BN24) — Former President Barack Obama has seen a dramatic rise in death threats and online calls for his imprisonment after President Donald Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused him of treason linked to alleged manipulation of intelligence about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
A new report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) documents a surge in violent rhetoric across social media platforms including Truth Social, Gab, and Telegram. Between July 17 and July 20, the number of posts referring to Obama as “treasonous” and demanding his imprisonment or execution spiked by over 1,100%, rising from just three to 36 on Truth Social alone.
The rise in threats followed Gabbard’s release of a report last Friday in which she accused Obama and senior members of his administration of “manufacturing intelligence” about Russian election interference to pave the way for what she characterized as a “yearslong coup” against Trump. Gabbard said the matter would be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution.
Obama has denied the allegations. His office did not respond to a request for comment from Newsweek.
On Sunday, Trump amplified the accusations by posting an AI-generated video on Truth Social showing Obama being arrested and jailed. The provocative video circulated widely and appears to have further inflamed calls for violence online.
While the former president has frequently been the target of fringe conspiracy theories, researchers say the coordinated accusations from high-ranking officials have fueled a new wave of extremist threats.
“President Trump and the entire administration strongly condemn all forms of violence,” said White House spokesperson Davis Ingle. “The Trump administration also believes in accountability and that individuals who participate in criminal activity should be held to the fullest extent of the law.”
A spokesperson for DNI Gabbard issued a similar statement, saying, “Director Gabbard strongly condemns all forms of violence. The Director also believes in shining light on the truth, investigating wrongdoing, and holding those who participate in criminal activities accountable.”
GPAHE warned that posts featuring violent language or imagery involving Obama were also gaining traction on far-right forums and encrypted platforms, where moderation is minimal or absent.
While law enforcement has not commented publicly on any investigation into the threats, the spike comes amid heightened political tensions and increased use of AI-generated content in political messaging.
The accusations have further deepened partisan divides over the legacy of the Russia investigation, which has long been a flashpoint in U.S. politics. Critics of the recent allegations have dismissed them as politically motivated attempts to rewrite the narrative of Trump’s first campaign and its aftermath.
newsweek.com
