Did Donald Trump call Barack Obama ‘founder of ISIS’ after Moscow terror attack? Here’s the truth

A video of the former United States President Donald Trump calling his predecessor Barack Obama the founder of Islamic State (ISIS) is making rounds on social media days after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital city of Moscow, on Friday (Mar 22).  

What did Trump say?

In the video, Trump can be heard saying “ISIS is honouring President Obama. He is the founder of ISIS. And I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hilary Clinton.” 

However, the clip is misleading and inaccurate as while the former president did make those remarks, he said that ahead of the 2016 presidential election, at a rally in the US state of Florida and not after the attack in Moscow which claimed at least 133 lives, including three children. The attack, which was claimed by ISIS, also left more than 150 injured.

The Republican nominee, Trump, backtracked on his assertions, after repeating them over and over again in the days that followed and in a tweet said, “THEY DON’T GET SARCASM?” 

Also Read | Moscow concert hall attack: More than one ISIS branch likely involved in rampage, says report

Notably, Trump’s comments came as he was criticising the Obama administration’s foreign policy including American troops being stationed in conflict zones, and his withdrawal of troops from Iraq. 

However, it was Obama’s predecessor George Bush, a Republican, who signed the Status of Forces agreement in 2008, in line with which all American troops would be required to leave Iraq by the end of 2011. 

Moscow terror attack

On Sunday (Mar 24), Russia lowered flags to half-mast for a day of mourning after more than 130 people had been killed at a rock concert in what is being called the country’s deadliest attack inside Russia for two decades.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed that he would track down those responsible for the attack and punish them “I express my deep, sincere condolences to all those who lost their loved ones,” said the Russian president in his first address to the nation on the attack, on Saturday (Mar 23).  

Also Read | ‘Low-life Putin trying to shift blame’: Zelensky condemns Russia for linking Moscow attack to Ukraine

ISIS has claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack, however, Putin has not acknowledged it and said that the attackers have been trying to escape to Ukraine and that “some on the Ukrainian side” had prepared to spirit them across the border.

Meanwhile, Kyiv has denied any role in the attack, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin a “low-life” for “trying to blame it on someone else…They always have the same methods.”

(With inputs from agencies)