Malik Obama Wants To Make America Great Again

If nothing else, Donald Trump certainly has a way of bringing new people into this year's presidential election, getting even the most unlikely of voters fired up about his campaign. Among those fired up is the current president's elder half-brother, who recently told The New York Post that he's planning to vote for Trump in November's presidential election. The revelation begs the question: Who Is Malik Obama? The answer may suggest that he's actually not the most unexpected Trump supporter to be fired up about making America great again. Update: Donald Trump announced this week that he plans to bring Malik to the third and final presidential debate as his guest.

The Post interview, published on Sunday, reveals that the president's brother has some fundamental disagreements with POTUS and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. For instance, he was disappointed by the FBI's decision not to recommend charges against Clinton for her email scandal. He also supported Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, whom he considered a best friend. The Obama administration, on the other hand, intervened in an uprising that ultimately led to Gadhafi's death.

Then, there's also the topic of gay marriage. As the Post put it, the elder Obama is against same-sex marriage and "believes strongly in the institution of marriage — so strongly that he has at least three current wives." Taken together, all of these disagreements between the Obamas may explain why Malik has chosen to support Trump. For his part, Trump seems satisfied.

Malik, 58, currently lives in the small farming village of Kogelo, in Kenya. That's where many of the president's relatives live, and it's where his father is buried. POTUS traveled to Kenya last July for the first time as president, but he didn't spend much time with family, according to The Boston Globe. Despite his current hometown outside of the United States, Malik reportedly says he's able to vote because he used to live in Maryland and is still registered there.

And though he lives in Kenya, Malik — who has also been known by the names of Roy and Abongo — still tries to be involved in politics. He ran an unsuccessful campaign to be governor of the village, touting his relationship with POTUS throughout his campaign. He also founded and runs the Barack H. Obama Foundation, named for the Obamas' father. The foundation is officially based in Virginia, and is not affiliated with the president. According to the foundation's website, its mission is humanitarian in nature, focusing on education and literacy, infrastructure development, and poverty, among other things.

The president has appeared to grow estranged from his half-brother, who was born in Kenya, since assuming the presidency. Perhaps that's because Malik has been caught doing things like selling letters written to him by POTUS for profit — not to mention calling controversial world leaders like Gadhafi his best friend. Years ago, the brothers appeared to be much closer. They did not meet until 1985, but they served as best man at each other's weddings.

Malik's latest move — to support Trump — probably won't be winning him any favor with the president. Despite his last name, the elder Obama actually fits squarely in Trump's target audience. He's disappointed with the status quo and critical of Clinton's record. That could make for an awkward family reunion when Malik travels back to the U.S. to vote in November.