Trump Shares Satirical Claim About Obama’s “Obamacare Royalties”

On Sunday, former President Donald Trump shared a post on social media that claimed former President Barack Obama has been collecting “royalties linked to Obamacare.” This assertion originated from a satirical news site, the Dunning-Kruger Times, which published the fictitious headline earlier this year. The claim inaccurately states that Obama has received $40 million in taxpayer-funded royalties since the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010.

The Dunning-Kruger Times describes itself as part of a network focused on parody and satire. The article that Trump referenced is not a credible source but a humorous take on current events. It is unclear why the former president chose to share this misleading information, captioning it simply with “WOW!”

When approached for comment, White House spokesperson Kush Desai noted that Obama became a multi-millionaire after leaving office, citing his luxury estate in Martha’s Vineyard as an example of his financial success. Desai contrasted this with Trump’s presidency, stating, “President Trump is the only president in modern history to have actually lost money in office because he has consistently put everyday Americans and America First – not special interests.”

A report by Forbes in 2024 estimated that Obama’s wealth, which significantly increased post-presidency, amounted to more than $70 million. Much of this wealth was attributed to two lucrative book deals and approximately $3.1 million earned from his presidential salary. Additionally, Obama has benefited from high-profile speaking engagements and a significant deal with Netflix.

This incident underscores the ongoing misinformation surrounding health care and political figures in the United States. The spread of satirical claims can easily lead to confusion among the public, particularly in the digital age where social media has become a primary source of news for many.

As misinformation continues to proliferate online, it is essential for individuals to verify the credibility of information before sharing it. The case of Trump’s post serves as a reminder of the importance of discerning fact from fiction in the fast-paced world of digital communication.