Obama criticizes Trump at campaign rallies for Democrats ahead of US midterms

Former US president Barack Obama campaigned for Democrats in Ohio and Michigan, criticizing Donald Trump’s administration over the Iran war and the economy. He described the midterms as an opportunity to limit the administration’s actions.

The elections are scheduled for 3 November and will determine which party controls Congress for the remainder of Trump’s term. Early voting has begun.

In Ohio, Obama campaigned for former senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to unseat incumbent Republican senator John Husted, and for gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. Her opponent is Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.

Obama also criticized a Ramaswamy campaign ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother calling her a liar. The ad did not mention that the woman’s husband had been charged with raping Acton when she was a child. At the rally, Acton said Ramaswamy was exploiting her childhood to save his struggling campaign.

Economy and fuel prices

Obama said he understood why voters rejected Democrats in 2024 over economic and inflation concerns after the Covid pandemic. He argued that Trump was responsible for the current state of the economy.

At a rally in Georgia, Trump acknowledged that oil prices were temporarily high and said they would fall. He also said the US was collecting substantial tariff revenue and repeated a pledge to give $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans win control of both chambers of Congress.

Trump linked higher fuel prices to the wars in Iran and Ukraine. Obama said the Iran war had given Tehran veto power over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump campaigns in Georgia

Trump appeared in Georgia to support Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins. Earlier, he voted in West Palm Beach, Florida, alongside First Lady Melania Trump.

At the rally, Trump praised his administration’s immigration and tariff policies and accused Democrats of seeking to weaken border controls and take Americans’ wealth. Asked about the Iran war, he said he might finish it or reach a deal, adding that he was unsure which would happen.