President Obama’s Kenyan half-brother, Malik Obama, plans to vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
A longtime Democrat, Malik Obama, 58, told the New York Post that he likes Mr. Trump “because he speaks from the heart.”
“’Make America Great Again’ is a great slogan,” he said. “I would like to meet him.”
Malik Obama said he was “deeply disappointed” in his brother’s foreign policy, pointing to the decision to depose Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
“I still feel that getting rid of Gadhafi didn’t make things any better in Libya,” he said. “My brother and the secretary of state disappointed me in that regard.”
He also cited presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified information as secretary of state.
“She should have known better as the custodian of classified information,” Malik Obama said.
The president’s half-brother, who has at least three wives, also said his views on gay marriage are more congruent with the Republican Party’s.
“I feel like a Republican now because they don’t stand for same-sex marriage, and that appeals to me,” he said.
Mr. Trump praised the news that President Obama’s brother was planning to vote for him.
“Wow, President Obama’s brother, Malik, just announced that he is voting for me,” Mr. Trump said in a tweet. “Was probably treated badly by president-like everybody else!”
Malik Obama said he plans to return to the U.S. in November in order to vote for Mr. Trump. He previously held a residence in Maryland, where he worked as a consultant for several years, and is registered to vote there.
• Bradford Richardson can be reached at brichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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