President Donald Trump on Sunday amplified a social media post insinuating that former President Barack Obama should face a “military tribunal” ― and a public one at that.
On Truth Social, Trump shared an entry from a right-wing X user with a photo of Trump and Obama accompanied by the caption: “ALL ROADS LEAD TO OBAMA… RETRUTH IF YOU WANT PUBLIC MILITARY TRIBUNALS.”
Trump didn’t comment on the post. But the original poster’s apparent QAnon adherence in their X profile description spotlighted the president’s willingness to give voice to the most extreme parts of his base.
Trump’s specific reason for advancing such a suggestion isn’t clear. He has repeatedly questioned Obama’s American birth and accused Obama of treason for spying on his 2016 campaign without proof. Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton that year to succeed Obama in the White House.
Military tribunals are generally used to try service members accused of serious offenses or suspected terrorists, in addition to civilians who allegedly commit crimes that compromise national security.
Trump also advanced accusatorytakes on ex-FBI Director James Comey’s social media photo of seashells on the beach with the message “86 47,” which resulted in Comey being interviewed by the Secret Service. Trump and several Republicans accused Comey of calling for his assassination.
Trump later sent well wishes to ex-President Joe Biden when news of his advanced prostate cancer came out.
Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump have an exchange during the state funeral for Jimmy Carter earlier this year. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images