.jpeg)
Former US President Barack Obama has launched a sharp attack on President Donald Trump, accusing his administration of corruption, criticising its handling of the war involving Iran and mocking renovations at the White House as he campaigned for Democratic candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Obama addressed supporters at campaign rallies in Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday, October 24. His appearances were intended to energise Democratic voters and help the party compete for control of Congress, which is currently controlled by Trump's Republicans.
In Michigan, Obama urged voters to treat the midterm elections as an opportunity to restore accountability to the federal government and limit what he described as misconduct and poor decision-making by the Trump administration.
“We got to flip that circuit breaker, bring some accountability to this government,” Obama told the crowd in Detroit, according to Reuters.
The former president's comments highlight the increasingly confrontational political atmosphere in the United States as both parties prepare for an election that will determine the balance of power in Congress during the remainder of Trump's presidency.
Obama accuses Trump of corruption and conflicts of interest
During the Detroit rally, Obama accused Trump of using the presidency in ways that benefit himself and his associates. He also criticised Republicans for continuing to support the president despite allegations concerning his business interests and political decisions.
“We have never seen a president excel in straight-up grifting, on your dime, like this,” Obama said, adding that the Republican Party appeared increasingly associated with corrupt, ineffective or absent government. The allegations reflect Obama's political criticism and are not, by themselves, a legal finding of wrongdoing.
The former president's remarks followed a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in August that examined public perceptions of Trump's private business interests.
According to the poll cited by Reuters, 63% of Americans believed Trump and his family had inappropriately profited from cryptocurrency since he returned to the White House, while 69% believed his policy decisions were influenced by his private business dealings. These figures measure public opinion; they do not independently establish whether illegal conduct occurred.
The issue has become part of the broader political debate over ethics, transparency and potential conflicts of interest in the federal government. Democrats have sought to make accountability a central campaign theme, while Trump and his allies have disputed many of the criticisms directed at the administration.
The White House did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on Obama's accusations. Trump later responded through a post on his Truth Social platform, attacking Obama's presidency and making inflammatory allegations about Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate candidate campaigning alongside Obama in Michigan.
Obama criticises Trump's strategy toward Iran
Foreign policy was another major focus of Obama's speech.
The former president challenged Trump's claims of success in the conflict involving Iran, arguing that the war had increased Tehran's economic leverage rather than eliminated its ability to influence international affairs.
Obama specifically highlighted the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important maritime passage through which substantial quantities of the world's oil move from the Persian Gulf to international markets.
“Iran now has veto power over the Strait of Hormuz, where oil goes through to get to the world,” Obama said.
His argument was that threats to shipping through the strait could unsettle oil markets and give Iran additional influence over energy supplies, even if the US administration claimed military success.
The waterway is important to global energy security because disruptions can affect tanker movements, shipping costs, insurance premiums and international oil prices. A prolonged disruption could also increase fuel costs for businesses and consumers in countries that depend on imported energy.
Trump defended his own record in a social media response, criticising Obama's handling of Iran and referring to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear agreement negotiated during Obama's presidency. The United States withdrew from that agreement during Trump's first term.
The exchange illustrates the continuing disagreement between the two presidents over how Washington should deal with Iran and how the results of American foreign policy should be measured.
White House renovations and military priorities become campaign talking points
Obama also mocked the appearance of renovations undertaken at the White House under Trump, portraying them as evidence that the administration was prioritising extravagance and image over more pressing national concerns.
He used a sarcastic comparison involving former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and a Cheesecake Factory restaurant to criticise the renovations. The remark drew attention to the visual style of Trump's changes to the presidential residence and became one of the more colourful moments of the rally.
Obama also ridiculed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, sarcastically suggesting that the secretary was focused on the appearance and physical characteristics of American military personnel rather than more consequential defence matters.
The comments were part of Obama's broader argument that the administration was placing emphasis on the wrong priorities while the country faced economic, security and international challenges.
Although the remarks were delivered in a campaign setting, they reflect a wider political contest over how voters assess the administration's priorities, spending decisions and approach to public office.
Obama campaigns for Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan
In Detroit, Obama appeared in support of Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is challenging Republican Mike Rogers, a former member of the US House of Representatives.
The Michigan Senate contest is one of the races Democrats are closely watching as they attempt to regain control of at least one chamber of Congress.
Obama remains a prominent figure within the Democratic Party, and his participation in campaign events is intended to increase voter engagement, attract attention to candidates and encourage supporters to participate in the election.
His endorsement also placed El-Sayed's campaign on a larger national stage. The contest has involved disagreements over El-Sayed's progressive political views and attacks directed at his name and Muslim faith. Obama drew parallels with false claims about his own birthplace and religion that circulated during his political career.
El-Sayed's campaign is taking place in a politically competitive state where the Senate race could have consequences for the balance of power in Washington. However, a campaign appearance or endorsement does not establish how voters will ultimately decide the contest.
Ohio rallies focus on political conduct and the cost of living
Obama's campaign appearances also took him to Cleveland, Ohio, where he criticised the Trump administration and supported Democratic candidates ahead of the election.
The Ohio campaign has featured disputes over political advertising and the treatment of candidates' personal histories. The Associated Press reported that Obama condemned what he described as cruelty and indecency in Republican campaigning, including controversy surrounding an advertisement associated with Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic rival Amy Acton.
Obama also linked his criticism of the administration to concerns about living costs and political accountability. For voters, economic conditions can be especially important in midterm elections, when the party controlling the White House often faces scrutiny over its record.
The issues raised at the rallies ranged from the cost of living and government ethics to foreign policy, public spending and the conduct of political campaigns.
Together, they show how Democrats are attempting to connect national controversies with the everyday concerns of voters in competitive states.
Why the November 3 midterm elections matter
The US midterm elections will take place on November 3, 2026, and will determine which party controls the House of Representatives and Senate for the next congressional session.
Unlike a presidential election, a midterm election does not select a new president. Instead, voters choose members of Congress and, in states holding elections, other officials such as governors. The results can substantially affect a president's ability to pass legislation, approve spending, conduct oversight and advance domestic and foreign policy priorities.
Trump has encouraged voters to view the election as a judgment on his presidency. Obama's decision to campaign actively for Democrats reflects the opposing party's effort to make the same election a referendum on the administration's performance.
If Democrats gain control of one or both chambers, they could obtain greater authority over congressional committees and investigations and could make it more difficult for Trump to advance parts of his legislative agenda. If Republicans retain control, the president would have a stronger opportunity to continue pursuing his priorities through Congress.
The precise consequences would depend on the composition of each chamber, the margins between the parties and the issues under consideration.
What the campaign debate means for American voters
The competing messages from Obama and Trump reflect a broader disagreement over the administration's record.
Obama has emphasised allegations of corruption, the consequences of the Iran conflict, government priorities and the need for stronger accountability. Trump, meanwhile, has criticised Obama's record and defended his own approach to Iran and other policy questions.
Voters will have to consider these claims alongside evidence about the economy, the cost of living, national security, government ethics and the performance of elected officials.
Several questions are likely to remain central during the final days of campaigning:
- Government accountability: How should allegations involving presidential business interests be investigated and addressed?
- Foreign policy: Has the administration's approach to Iran improved US security and reduced risks to international energy supplies?
- Economic conditions: Are government policies improving household finances and addressing the cost of living?
- Congressional oversight: What role should Congress play in reviewing executive decisions and government spending?
- Political conduct: How should voters assess campaign advertisements and attacks involving candidates' personal backgrounds?
The answers will differ according to voters' priorities and their interpretation of the available evidence.
A high-profile intervention in the final stretch of campaigning
Obama's appearances in Ohio and Michigan demonstrate how former presidents can remain influential in national political debates long after leaving office. His involvement gives Democratic candidates access to a nationally recognised campaigner and provides the party with a platform to criticise the administration's record.
The rallies also underline the stakes of the November 3 elections. Control of Congress will shape the legislative environment for the remainder of Trump's term and influence how closely the administration's policies are scrutinised.
For now, Obama's accusations and Trump's response remain part of an increasingly heated campaign. The election results will determine the composition of Congress, while the underlying disputes over government ethics, Iran, economic policy and political priorities are likely to continue well beyond election day.