Fact Check: Trump told allies to say "Obama cheated on the election" to deflect Epstein questions

Published July 31, 2025

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VERDICT

True

# Fact-Check Article: "Trump told allies to say 'Obama cheated on the election' to deflect Epstein questions" ## What We Know Recent reports have sur...

Fact-Check Article: "Trump told allies to say 'Obama cheated on the election' to deflect Epstein questions"

What We Know

Recent reports have surfaced detailing a claim that former President Donald Trump instructed his allies to deflect questions about Jeffrey Epstein by asserting that former President Barack Obama "cheated on the election." This claim is supported by multiple sources. According to The New York Times, during a meeting with Republican members of Congress, Trump explicitly suggested that they respond to inappropriate questions by saying, "Oh by the way, Obama cheated on the election." This tactic appears to be a strategic move to divert attention from the Epstein scandal, which had been gaining media traction at the time.

Additionally, AOL and Centered America corroborate this narrative, noting that Trump was coaching Republicans on how to pivot the conversation away from damaging inquiries related to Epstein. The timing of these comments aligns closely with heightened scrutiny of Trump's past relationship with Epstein, as detailed in various media outlets.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Trump directed his allies to invoke Obama as a distraction is substantial. The sources cited are credible and provide direct quotes from Trump during public engagements. For instance, the New York Times provides a timeline of Trump's remarks, highlighting his repeated use of Obama as a foil to shift the narrative. This aligns with Trump's historical pattern of attacking Obama to rally his base and redirect media focus.

In evaluating the reliability of the sources, The New York Times is a well-respected publication known for its journalistic integrity, while AOL and Centered America, while less prominent, also provide corroborative accounts of Trump's comments. The consistency across these reports strengthens the credibility of the claim.

Moreover, the context in which Trump made these statements is crucial. The suggestion to blame Obama for election fraud is not new; it is part of a broader strategy Trump has employed throughout his political career to deflect criticism and maintain his narrative. This tactic was notably used during his 2016 campaign and has resurfaced in various forms since then.

Conclusion

Based on the evidence presented, the claim that Trump told allies to say "Obama cheated on the election" to deflect questions about Epstein is True. The corroborative reports from multiple credible sources, along with the context of Trump's historical behavior, support this assertion. Trump's strategy of redirecting blame to Obama serves as a clear attempt to manage the narrative surrounding the Epstein investigation.

Sources

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