In 2013, Malik Obama gave an interview to Brics Magazine shortly after contesting and significantly failing (with only 1% of the votes) in the gubernatorial race in Kenya. When asked about trying to cash in on his brother's name, he replied, "It's also my name and my birthright. Let's not forget that I was born before him." Although Barack had supported Malik's run for public office, Malik had several criticisms with thinly veiled bitterness toward his half-brother.

He disclosed that his brother didn't listen to his requests to save Libya's Colonel Gaddafi and that Barack didn't send money to their Kenyan relatives. However, he added that Michelle and Barack were doing a great job leading America. Two years later, in April, Malik Obama gave an interview to Joel Gilbert, a conservative conspiracy theorist. Gilbert had published the documentary, "Dreams from My Real Father," which falsely theorized that Obama Sr. wasn't the president's biological parent. In the interview, Malik told Gilbert he was disappointed with how his brother treated people. The businessman also explained that he'd asked Barack for $20,000 for their aunt's funeral, but Barack had said it was too much. 

By 2016, Malik's tone had largely changed, and his complaints were louder. He declared support for Donald Trump, expressing disappointment in the Obama administration — quite different from his comments years before. He also added that he would support the Republican Party because they stood against "same-sex marriage."