Trump's claim emerged during a press conference and rekindled disputes over the 2016 election, where he accused Obama of attempting to undermine his victory against Hillary Clinton. Referring to a recent intelligence report, Trump asserted that Obama had engaged in a years-long plot against him, saying, "They tried to steal the election." This report, however, faced scrutiny and was labeled false by Democratic figures.

Obama’s spokesman, Patrick Rodenbush, remarked that such claims warranted a response due to their outrageous nature, calling them “ridiculous.” The discourse intensified as Trump was criticized for diverting attention from pressing topics, including Epstein’s related investigations.

Further complicating the narrative are findings from intelligence reports indicating that while Russia attempted to influence the election, there was no substantial evidence that they succeeded in altering the results directly. Despite the extended investigations during Trump’s presidency, including the Mueller report which cleared him of conspiracy, claims of foreign interference continue to permeate political discussions.

In light of these claims, the ongoing partisan divide over the 2016 election's legitimacy and the broader implications for American democracy remain a contentious topic.