The half-brother of former President Barack Obama has once again announced his support for Donald Trump.
Abon'go Malik Obama revealed he will be voting for Trump in the upcoming November election, continuing his public divergence from his brother’s political views, as the New York Post reports.
Malik, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Kenya, confirmed on Wednesday that he will cast his vote for the Republican candidate. As a registered Republican, this is not the first time Malik has chosen to back Trump. His support dates back to the 2016 and 2020 elections when he openly endorsed Trump over his brother's political allies.
Malik, who was Barack Obama’s best man at his 1992 wedding, has gradually distanced himself from his famous sibling over the years. He cited disappointment with the Democratic Party and his brother’s tenure as president. In past interviews and social media posts, Malik has expressed admiration for Donald Trump’s unfiltered style and his conservative policies.
In 2016, Malik criticized Hillary Clinton over her handling of classified information, particularly her use of a private email server. Malik attended the third presidential debate in 2016 as a guest of Donald Trump. His support for the former president has remained consistent, even as he voiced dissatisfaction with other prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden.
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Malik reiterated his criticism of the Democratic leadership. He mentioned that he had supported his brother throughout Barack’s presidency, but eventually grew disillusioned, stating that Barack Obama was "all about himself."
Despite their once close relationship, including Malik's visits to the White House during Barack’s presidency, the two brothers experienced a falling out over a legal controversy involving Malik's charity, the Barack H. Obama Foundation. This rift deepened over time as Malik’s political views shifted to the right. His stance on issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion is at odds with the more progressive positions of the Democratic Party.
Malik’s social media presence has highlighted his conservative shift, with posts praising Trump’s promise of free IVF treatments and endorsing various conservative viewpoints. Just last month, he posted support for Trump, commenting on the need for more children, aligning himself with pro-family values. The political shift experienced by Malik has not gone unnoticed in conservative circles. He recently voiced approval for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s backing of Trump during a rally in Arizona, further solidifying his position within the Republican Party.
Malik's endorsement of Trump comes at a time when former Congresswoman Liz Cheney has made her own political statement by endorsing Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. The contrast between these endorsements underscores the deep ideological divides within American politics, and in the case of Malik Obama, within families as well.
Barack Obama himself has reportedly played a role in supporting Harris' rise within the Democratic Party. As Malik publicly backs the opposing side, this stark familial divide continues to draw public attention. In September 2022, Malik publicly renounced his support for his brother, marking the end of any political alignment between the two. The former president has yet to publicly address Malik's repeated endorsements of Trump or his criticisms.
Malik’s involvement in U.S. politics is not limited to public statements and social media. He was a registered voter in Maryland as of 2016 and has continued to split his time between the United States and Kenya, where he maintains a residence.
Malik Obama has also drawn attention for his more controversial online posts. One of the most notable was his sharing of a forged birth certificate for his brother, playing into the so-called "birther" conspiracy that questioned Barack Obama's citizenship.
As the 2024 election approaches, Malik continues to use social media to voice his views. Recently, he referred to President Joe Biden as looking like he might “drop dead,” further solidifying his disdain for the current Democratic Party leadership. As of now, neither the Trump campaign nor the Harris campaign has responded to requests for comment on Malik’s endorsement. Despite the silence from both parties, Malik's public declaration continues to make headlines, underscoring the deep political and personal divisions in one of America's most prominent families.
