Fact Check: Did DOGE halt multimillion-dollar Obamacare royalties to Obama?

The viral claim that Barack Obama lost a $2.6 million Obamacare royalty payment resurfaced after Donald Trump shared it on Truth Social with 'WOW!'
The claim spread in February with a post saying DOGE ended a $2.6 million yearly Obamacare royalty payment to Barack Obama, totaling $39 million (Getty Images)
The claim spread in February with a post saying DOGE ended a $2.6 million yearly Obamacare royalty payment to Barack Obama, totaling $39 million (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: A recent Truth Social post by President Donald Trump has stirred confusion after he appeared to endorse a bizarre claim linking DOGE (Dogecoin) royalties to Obamacare subsidies.

The post quickly raised questions: where did this claim come from, and is there any real connection between DOGE and Obamacare? Here’s what the research reveals about the origins, and the truth, behind the viral rumor.

(@realdonaldtrump/truthsocial)
The claim spread in February with a post saying DOGE ended a $2.6 million yearly Obamacare royalty payment to Barack Obama, totaling $39 million (@realdonaldtrump/truthsocial)

Claim: DOGE halted payment to Obama for ‘royalties linked to Obamacare’

The claim that the US Department of Government Efficiency halted an annual $2.6 million payment to former President Barack Obama for “royalties linked to Obamacare” first surfaced online in February.

t is now making headlines again after Donald Trump reshared the viral post on his Truth Social account. Trump posted a screenshot of the claim with the caption “WOW!”, sparking widespread confusion as many users interpreted his reaction as an endorsement of the rumor.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: An Obamacare sign is seen outside of the Leading Insurance Agency, whic
An Obamacare sign is seen outside of the Leading Insurance Agency, which offers plans under the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) on January 28, 2021 in Miami, Florida (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

An X user named @melissaredpill shared a screenshot of Trump’s post and wrote, “Obama’s crying… Doge halted their yearly payment of $2.5 million for royalties linked to Obamacare… He will have to pay back all $40 million plus no telling what else he’s stolen.”



The claim first spread online in February, accompanied by the following statement: "DOGE stopped an annual payment to Barack Obama for $2.6 million for 'royalties associated with Obamacare.' He's been collecting it since 2010, for a total of $39 million in taxpayer dollars. GOOD!"



Fact Check: False, viral claim is satirical

The rumor claiming that the US government owed Barack Obama royalty payments began with The Dunning-Kruger Times, a website and social media page also known as America’s Last Line of Defense (ALLOD). The outlet openly describes its content as humorous and satirical.

On its "About" page, the site states, “Everything on this website is fiction. It is not a lie and it is not fake news because it is not real. If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined. Any similarities between this site's pure fantasy and actual people, places, and events are purely coincidental and all images should be considered altered and satirical."



The site’s Facebook bio reinforces this disclaimer, reading, “The flagship of the ALLOD network of trollery and propaganda for cash. Nothing on this page is real.” Despite those clear warnings, the fictional story spread widely as DOGE made headlines for allegedly cutting funding to US government programs and firing federal employees at a record pace.

The Dunning-Kruger Times has a long history of publishing fabricated stories designed to attract clicks, shares, and comments.

The site’s Facebook bio reinforces this disclaimer, reading, “The flagship of the ALLOD network of trollery and propaganda for cash. Nothing on this page is real.” Despite those clear warnings, the fictional story spread widely as DOGE made headlines for allegedly cutting funding to US government programs and firing federal employees at a record pace.

The Dunning-Kruger Times has a long history of fabricating stories designed to attract clicks, shares, and comments.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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