President Trump says in a new interview that he hasn't spoken to former President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaBiden to hold call with Senate Democrats on Thursday: report Romney undecided on authorizing subpoenas for GOP Obama-era probes Billboards in four states and DC demand ICE 'free the families' MORE since the inauguration earlier this year.

Trump told the Washington Times that it is "too bad" the two haven't spoken since he assumed office.

“Since I took office, no,” the president said. “It’s too bad, but I’m not totally surprised. I’m disappointed when I look at the surveillance, I’m very disappointed when I saw that.”

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Trump appeared to be referring to his claim earlier this year that Obama ordered surveillance of Trump Tower during the presidential campaign.

Trump also sought to distinguish himself from his predecessor, pointing to relationships he's formed with various leaders across the world.

“One of the things I’ve done in the first 100 days, I’ve established great foundations for relationships. One of them is with Egypt,” the president said.

“There’s a great case. I said to him, ‘Mr. President, do me a favor. Release her. She’s innocent. Let her go.’ Is that better than Obama?”

Obama has remained largely out of the spotlight since leaving office earlier this year. He made his first public appearance last week since leaving office in an event held in Chicago, but he steered clear of any political commentary of criticism of Trump.

The closest Obama appeared to come to mentioning Trump happened at the end of the 90-minute event.

“There’s a reason why I am always optimistic, even when things look like they are sometimes not going the way I want. And that’s because of young people like this,” Obama said.