Former US President Barack Obama has criticized Donald Trump’s administration over the war in Iran and rising consumer prices. Obama made the remarks while campaigning for Democrats ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Speaking to crowds in Ohio on Saturday, Obama urged voters to use the election to limit what he described as harmful decisions by the current administration.
“This election is our last best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness of this administration,” Obama said.
Meanwhile, Trump defended his record at a rally in Georgia. He praised his administration’s immigration and tariff policies and told supporters that the United States was entering what he called a “golden age.”
The election will decide which party controls Congress for the remainder of Trump’s term. The result will also shape how easily the president can advance his policy plans.
Early voting is already underway in several areas. Trump cast his ballot in Florida on Saturday alongside First Lady Melania Trump.
Obama campaigns in Ohio and Michigan
Obama appeared at campaign events in Ohio and Michigan, where he urged voters to support Democratic candidates. He criticized Trump and members of his administration on issues ranging from economic policy to government conduct.
During his speech in Cleveland, Obama accused the administration of creating what he called chaos and corruption. He argued that voters now had an opportunity to respond through their ballots.
“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’,” Obama told the crowd.
The former president also addressed the economic concerns that helped shape the 2024 election. He said he understood why some voters had turned away from Democrats because of inflation and the cost of living after the Covid pandemic.
However, Obama argued that Trump had failed to deliver the economic relief many voters expected. He pointed to the continued pressure on household budgets and said prices had become even harder to manage.
“If you thought everything was too expensive before ‘you know who’,” Obama said, referring to Trump without naming him, “everything is more expensive now.”
His comments placed the cost of living at the center of the Democratic campaign. Higher prices remain a major concern for many Americans, while both parties are trying to convince voters that their policies offer a better path forward.
Trump defends tariffs and economic record
Trump used his Georgia rally to defend his economic approach. He argued that tariffs were bringing large sums of money into the country and presented his policies as part of a broader effort to strengthen the United States.
“We’re taking in massive amounts of money through tariffs,” Trump told supporters in Perry.
He also repeated a pledge to provide a $5,000 payment to every adult American if Republicans win control of both chambers of Congress. The proposal formed part of his effort to promote the benefits of continued Republican control.
Trump also acknowledged that oil prices were temporarily high. However, he predicted that fuel costs would fall and said the country was becoming stronger.
“Our country is getting stronger and stronger all the time, and those pump prices are going to come down,” he said.
Fuel prices have placed additional pressure on the administration as conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine affect energy markets. Trump faces demands to reduce costs for drivers and households while defending his broader economic policies.
Immigration becomes a campaign issue
Immigration was another major theme of Trump’s speech. He attacked Democrats and accused them of supporting policies that would weaken border controls and put American wealth at risk.
Trump claimed Democrats would “loot your wealth” and “annihilate your borders.” He also criticized immigration from Libya, Yemen, Haiti and Somalia, using derogatory language to describe those countries.
The president recalled a previous conversation with senators in which he questioned why the United States accepted migrants from certain countries instead of places such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
His remarks reflected the sharp differences between Republicans and Democrats over immigration. The issue remains central to Trump’s political message, while Democrats have challenged aspects of his administration’s approach.
Congress control at stake
The November 3 midterms will determine control of Congress for the rest of Trump’s presidency. Lawmakers in both chambers play a central role in approving legislation, overseeing the administration and shaping federal spending.
A Republican majority could help Trump advance his agenda. Democratic control of one or both chambers could increase scrutiny of the administration and make some policy goals harder to achieve.
Obama’s campaign appearances show that Democrats are seeking to turn concerns about prices, foreign policy and the administration’s conduct into support at the ballot box. Trump, meanwhile, is defending his record on tariffs, immigration and economic growth.
With early voting underway, both sides are making their final arguments to voters. The outcome will determine the balance of power in Washington and influence the direction of US policy during the remaining years of Trump’s term.
