The political world went into chaos Monday night after former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard dropped a shocking claim during a live appearance on Fox News, alleging that former President Barack Obama was secretly involved in an organized effort to undermine Donald Trump’s presidency during his first term.
The comments, which came during a heated discussion on “Hannity Live,” have since exploded across social media, triggering calls for investigation, furious denials, and even trending hashtags like ObamaCoup and TulsiLeaks.
“This Wasn’t Just Politics — It Was Sabotage”
“I’ve seen documents and spoken to intelligence officials who confirmed it,” Gabbard said on air, her voice calm but deliberate. “There was a coordinated effort within certain intelligence circles — influenced directly by President Obama’s post-administration network — to derail the Trump presidency from the inside.”
Her statement, delivered with unnerving composure, left host Sean Hannity speechless for a moment. Within minutes, clips of the segment began circulating online, racking up millions of views and sparking what many are calling the most sensational political accusation of the year.
According to Gabbard, the alleged plot involved “high-level operatives” embedded in multiple government agencies who sought to leak, delay, and manipulate information harmful to Trump’s administration between 2017 and 2019.
“This wasn’t about protecting democracy,” she continued. “It was about maintaining control.”
Social Media Erupts — and So Do Lawmakers
Almost instantly, Gabbard’s allegations were met with a storm of reactions from both sides of the aisle. Republican lawmakers praised her “courage” and demanded an immediate inquiry, while Democrats dismissed her claims as “conspiratorial nonsense.”
Senator Josh Hawley (R–MO) posted on X, “If what Tulsi Gabbard said is even half true, the American people deserve full transparency. No one — not even Obama — is above accountability.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D–MD) fired back within the hour: “Tulsi Gabbard has gone from public service to public delusion. There was no coup — only conspiracy theories.”
Even Elon Musk weighed in, tweeting, “If Obama really orchestrated a shadow government, history will not be kind.”
The So-Called “Obama Network”
While Gabbard offered no documents publicly, she claimed that several former intelligence officials had confirmed Obama’s involvement indirectly through “policy shadowing” — a term used to describe influence operations conducted by ex-officials after leaving office.
Political analyst Mark Levin told Fox Digital, “What Gabbard is suggesting — if true — is unprecedented. It would mean a former president attempted to run a parallel government through intelligence channels.”
Others were less convinced. Former CIA director John Brennan dismissed the claims outright. “This is reckless. There is zero evidence President Obama orchestrated any form of coup,” Brennan said on MSNBC. “These claims are designed to divide and distract.”
Still, Gabbard’s history of military service and prior experience on the House Foreign Affairs Committee lend her accusations a weight that conspiracy theorists typically lack. “She’s not just some fringe commentator,” noted independent journalist Glenn Greenwald. “She’s been in the room.”
A History of Tension Between Gabbard and the Establishment
This isn’t the first time Tulsi Gabbard has broken ranks with Washington elites. The former Hawaii congresswoman famously resigned from her position as DNC vice chair in 2016 to endorse Bernie Sanders, citing corruption within the Democratic Party.
Later, she drew bipartisan attention for her criticism of U.S. military interventions abroad and her repeated calls to “end regime-change wars.”
In 2019, Hillary Clinton publicly implied that Gabbard was being “groomed” by the Russians — a statement that led Gabbard to file a defamation lawsuit against Clinton, which was later dropped.
Now, her newest allegations could ignite another political firestorm — this time involving one of the most popular Democratic presidents in U.S. history.
Calls for Evidence — and an FBI Response
As of Tuesday morning, the FBI has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of any investigation related to Gabbard’s claims. A spokesperson told reporters only that “the Bureau does not comment on ongoing or potential investigations.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed the story during the daily briefing, calling it “completely baseless and dangerous.”
“The former President continues to enjoy widespread respect and trust,” she said. “There is no coup. There never was.”
Yet among conservative circles, Gabbard’s statements are being hailed as a wake-up call. Several House Republicans are reportedly preparing a formal request for a congressional inquiry into “post-presidential interference operations.”
The Broader Implications
Political observers note that the uproar underscores just how polarized American politics have become. “Tulsi’s words are a lit match in a room full of gasoline,” said historian Douglas Brinkley. “Whether true or not, they feed a narrative that government power is being weaponized by elites.”
By Tuesday night, cable networks had pivoted into wall-to-wall coverage. CNN labeled the allegations “an unverified political bombshell.” Fox News dubbed it “Tulsi’s Truth Bomb.”
Meanwhile, Gabbard herself has remained unapologetic. “If telling the truth makes people uncomfortable,” she tweeted late Monday, “so be it. The American people deserve to know who’s really pulling the strings.”
What Comes Next
At the time of writing, Obama’s representatives have not issued a formal response. Legal analysts note that defamation laws make it difficult for public figures to seek recourse unless direct, provable falsehoods are involved.
Still, Washington insiders are reportedly “rattled” by the scale of the public reaction. A senior Democratic aide told Politico, “Even if it’s false, the damage is done. People will remember the accusation long after the truth fades.”
Whether Tulsi Gabbard’s explosive claims hold any truth or collapse under scrutiny, one thing is certain: her words have reopened the most divisive wound in American politics — the battle between the old guard and the populist wave.
“This isn’t about Trump or Obama anymore,” Gabbard said in her closing statement. “It’s about whether the American people still control their own government — or if they ever really did.”