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Former US President Barack Obama has sharply criticised President Donald Trump over rising living costs, the war with Iran and his administration’s record as Democrats campaign to regain control of Congress in the November 3 US midterm elections.
Obama addressed Democratic supporters in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday, campaigning for candidates in two closely watched states that could influence control of the US Senate and House of Representatives.
Speaking in Cleveland, Obama blamed Trump’s policies for economic pressure facing American households and criticised his decision to go to war with Iran.
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“The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions,” Obama said, describing the conflict with Iran as an unnecessary war.
The fighting has driven oil prices higher after Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies.
Obama also called on voters to use the midterm elections to register their dissatisfaction with the Trump administration and support Democratic candidates.
“After two years of chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence, the likes of which we have not seen in the modern era, you get a chance to say, ‘Enough is enough,’” he told supporters.
In Ohio, Obama campaigned for former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to defeat incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted. Democrat Amy Acton is also contesting the governorship against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
Recent polling has shown Brown and Acton leading their Republican opponents among likely voters, although both contests remain competitive.
Obama later travelled to Michigan to support Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who faces Republican Mike Rogers in another closely contested race. El-Sayed, a former public health official, is seeking to become the first Muslim and Egyptian American elected to the US Senate.
During the Michigan rally, Obama also referred to Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin, praising the prospect of El-Sayed and Slotkin representing the state together in Washington.
Trump responded to Obama’s appearance in Michigan on Truth Social, criticising the former president and calling on voters to support Rogers.
With early voting already open in Ohio and Michigan, Obama encouraged Democrats to cast their ballots without delay.
“Don’t procrastinate, don’t equivocate,” he said.
The November 3 midterm elections will determine control of Congress, with Democrats seeking to regain political ground and Republicans fighting to retain their congressional majorities. Obama’s appearances in Ohio and Michigan form part of a wider Democratic push to mobilise voters in key battlegrounds during the closing days of the campaign.
