Fact Check: Did Obama hit back at Trump's 'more popular than Abraham Lincoln' remark?
WASHINGTON, DC:After President Donald Trump claimed that he is more popular than Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms claiming that former President Barack Obama had slammed Trump for his remark. The claim drew mockery and speculation from online users.
But did Obama really make the alleged comment about Trump? Let’s fact check the viral claim and examine whether the former president actually responded to Trump’s remarks.
Claim: Barack Obama slammed Donald Trump's popularity remark
According to a viral X post, Obama hit back at Trump’s comment, stating, “Yeah, absolutely, you are even more popular. He was popular as America's builder, and you are popular as America's destroyer."
The claim has been amplified by several accounts on the platform, drawing tens of thousands of views as of this writing.
Online users reacting to the alleged remark appeared to agree with the former president, while others slammed him, suggesting that many believe the claim is true.
Meanwhile, a few others remained skeptical and questioned the claim’s authenticity.
Fact Check: Barack Obama made no such comments
The claim, however, is false, as there are no reports of the former president making such a remark in response to Trump's statement.
There are no official statements, press releases, or social media posts from Obama where he remarked “You are popular as America's destroyer” about Trump.
If the claim were true, it would not go unreported by prominent news media outlets, but a search on Google for the claim yielded no credible reports.
Moreover, the account that posted the claim describes itself in its bio as ‘Satire Commentary,’ hence the claim is exaggerated for the sake of engagement.
Donald Trump claims he is six times more popular than Abraham Lincoln
In a social media post on Saturday, August 29, Trump criticized CNN and MS NOW, claiming that both networks are in a "death spiral" with poor viewership.
The post read, “CNN is in a DEATH SPIRAL, and so is MSNOW, the new name for MSDNC — Literally, nobody is watching either Network! The best person on CNN is Pollster Harry Enten, because he was willing to show that Donald J. Trump is six times more popular than Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, or any other President —.."
"He’s got Credibility (Don’t fire him!). CNN can be turned around with new Leadership and Anchors (MSNOW cannot!), because a Great Brand can never truly be destroyed! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The post was the basis for the viral claim about Obama, which alleged that the former president had responded to Trump's comments.
