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WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused former president Barack Obama of "treason" over the 2016 presidential election, prompting a fierce response from the latter's spokesperson, who called the allegations "ridiculous" and "a weak attempt at distraction".

When asked by the media about the case involving the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, Trump pivoted to attacking Obama.

"They tried to rig the election, and they got caught. And there should be very severe consequences for that," Trump told reporters at the White House Oval Office.

Labeling Obama as "leader of the gang", Trump said that Democrats, including Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, allegedly engaged in election manipulation starting from the 2016 election up through 2020.

A report released on Friday alleged that officials in the Obama administration manipulated information on Russia's interference in the 2016 election — a claim that Kremlin has long denied.

"This was treason. This was every word you can think of. They tried to steal the election. They tried to obfuscate the election," Trump said.

In a statement, Patrick Rodenbush, spokesman for Obama, said that "out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one."

"These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction," the statement read.

Epstein, who had extensive connections with US political and business elites, was arrested on sex crime charges and died in prison in August 2019, which was officially ruled a suicide.

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to release Epstein-related documents if reelected. However, earlier this month, the US Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a joint memo stating no incriminating "client list" exists and that "no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted".

Also on Tuesday, Trump deflected questions on the Justice Department's decision to interview Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of helping the financier sexually abuse underage girls and is now serving a lengthy prison sentence.

Trump is under pressure from conspiracy-minded segments of his political base to release more about the Epstein case. He's tried to move on, which Democrats say is because of his association with Epstein. Trump has denied knowledge of or involvement in Epstein's crimes and said he ended their friendship years ago.

Xinhua - Agencies