Obama Knew Trump-Russia Collusion Narrative Was a Hoax, Declassified Documents Reveal

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has declassified documents revealing that former President Barack Obama and his national security team manufactured and politicized intelligence to create the false narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The documents show that Obama and his administration intentionally ignored intelligence assessments stating Russia lacked the intent and capability to influence the election.
In the months leading up to the 2016 election, the intelligence community consistently assessed that Russia was "probably not trying" to influence the election. A classified report stated, "We assess that foreign adversaries did not use cyber attacks on election infrastructure to alter the US Presidential election outcome this year. We have no evidence of cyber manipulation of election infrastructure intended to alter results."
However, after Donald Trump won the election, Obama directed the intelligence community to create a new assessment falsely claiming Russian election meddling. This assessment contradicted previous findings and was used to fuel the Trump-Russia collusion probe.
Documents reveal that on December 8, 2016, the intelligence community prepared an assessment for Obama's daily brief stating Russia "did not impact recent U.S. election results" through cyber attacks. Before it could be delivered, the assessment was pulled "based on new guidance." The next day, Obama, along with FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan, and DNI James Clapper, gathered at the White House to discuss Russia and direct the intelligence community to create the false narrative.
The declassified reports also show that Obama administration officials used the discredited Steele Dossier as a source to push the false narrative, despite knowing it was baseless. The documents further reveal that Obama and his team worked with media outlets like The Washington Post and The New York Times to spread the hoax, leaking classified information to create the false narrative.
Tulsi Gabbard called the Russia hoax a "years-long coup against President Trump," stating, "The intelligence community is prepared to produce an assessment per the President’s request."
The declassification of these documents exposes the deliberate manipulation of intelligence to create a false narrative that has had lasting consequences on U.S. politics and governance.

Published: 7/18/2025