In a surprising turn of events, Malik Obama, the half-brother of former U.S. President Barack Obama, has thrown his support behind Donald Trump for the upcoming election.
Malik, who once celebrated his younger brother’s historic 2008 election victory, announced his endorsement on social media, stating, “I am Malik Obama. I’m a registered Republican, and I’m voting for President Donald Trump.”
This endorsement follows the circulation of a controversial AI-generated image that featured members of Tim Walz’s family wearing “Walz’s For Trump” T-shirts. The image, which went viral, has been criticized for its flawed AI features, with many noticing that the figures in the photo appeared to have only four fingers. Despite the debate surrounding the image, Malik Obama’s public backing of Trump has sparked significant attention.
Malik’s support for Trump is not new
Malik’s support for Trump is not new. He first endorsed Trump in 2016, even attending a Las Vegas debate as a guest of Trump’s campaign. Over the years, Malik has become increasingly estranged from his younger brother, citing personal and political differences.
Despite their close ties in the past—Malik was Barack Obama’s best man at his wedding, a gesture reciprocated by the former president—their relationship has since soured. Malik, a practicing Muslim, has continued to support Trump despite the candidate’s controversial proposals, including a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. In a 2016 interview with the Washington Post, Malik explained his admiration for Trump, saying, “I like Donald Trump because he speaks from the heart. ‘Make America Great Again’ is a great slogan. I would like to meet him.”
Public endorsements
Malik’s support for Trump is driven by several factors, including his opposition to same-sex marriage and dissatisfaction with Barack Obama’s presidency.
One significant point of contention has been Barack’s handling of foreign policy, particularly the ousting of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. “I still feel that getting rid of [Gaddafi] didn’t improve things in Libya,” Malik said in 2016. “My brother and the Secretary of State disappointed me in that regard.” Adding to the family tension, Malik has expressed frustration with Barack’s lack of support for the foundation he established in their father’s name. “My brother didn’t help me at all. He wanted me to shut it down when I set it up. He hasn’t supported me at all,” Malik told the New York Post. “Honestly, I’ll be happy when my brother is out of the office, and I will finally be out of the limelight and be able to live like a human being.”
Malik Obama’s public endorsement comes at a time when political endorsements from high-profile figures, such as Jeff Walz and others, are making waves. His backing of Trump, amid his ongoing family drama, adds another layer of complexity to an already charged political landscape.