Obama criticises Trump's 'corruption' on campaign trail

Former US President Barack Obama launched a blistering attack on the Trump administration on Saturday, accusing the current leader of corruption, incompetence, and starting an unnecessary war. Speaking at rallies in Ohio and Michigan, the 65-year-old Democrat sought to galvanize support for his party’s candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Obama blamed the Trump administration directly for the rising cost of living and soaring fuel prices, issues that remain top concerns for voters. In Cleveland, Ohio, he stated that the current president made a series of bad decisions, most notably deciding to initiate a conflict that nobody requested. The former president’s campaign stops marked a significant effort to leverage his enduring popularity within the Democratic base. Democrats are aiming to reclaim control of one or both chambers of the US Congress, which are currently held by the Republican Party. Nationally, polls indicate that Democrats could regain the House of Representatives, though the contest for the Senate appears much tighter. In Ohio, Obama campaigned for former Senator Sherrod Brown, who is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted. Brown seeks a political comeback in a race that polls show is close, despite giving Democrats a slight lead. The Ohio gubernatorial race pits Democrat Amy Acton against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a former 2024 presidential candidate. Following his appearance in Cleveland, Obama traveled north to Detroit, Michigan, to support Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing Democrat running for the US Senate. El-Sayed is locked in a tight race with Republican Mike Rogers, a former US Representative. Obama highlighted the potential impact of a Democratic victory in the state, noting that it would result in a "power duo" in the Senate alongside incumbent Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who is not up for reelection this cycle. He pointed out that such a pairing would feature a Muslim man and a Jewish woman representing Michigan, a combination he encouraged the state to be proud of. During his speeches, Obama drew specific parallels between the current administration’s conduct and historical examples of excess. He mocked Trump’s ongoing renovation projects in Washington, D.C., including the botched restoration of the National Mall’s Reflecting Pool, the construction of a massive White House ballroom, and the gilded decorations installed in the Oval Office. "He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory," Obama joked, referencing the popular American restaurant chain known for its indulgent menu. He added that the president should perhaps be on home improvement television instead of focusing on lowering prices for Americans. The political climate surrounding these remarks is charged by the ongoing conflict with Iran. The war has caused oil prices to soar after Tehran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz following attacks. Obama characterized this conflict as unnecessary and part of two years of chaos and cruelty. He urged voters not to procrastinate or equivocate, emphasizing that early voting is already open in both Ohio and Michigan. "Don’t procrastinate, don’t equivocate," he told the crowds, framing the upcoming vote as a necessary step to restore accountability to the government. President Trump responded swiftly to Obama’s campaign efforts. On Sunday, the Republican president posted on Truth Social, dismissing Obama as a "grossly incompetent President." Trump referenced the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under Obama, claiming the former president paid off Iran with billions and granted them a pathway to nuclear weapons. Trump withdrew from that agreement during his first term and imposed sweeping sanctions, including on nations purchasing Iranian oil. Western nations continue to accuse Iran of seeking nuclear capabilities, a charge Tehran denies, insisting its program is strictly civilian. At a separate rally in Georgia on Saturday, Trump touted his administration’s immigration and tariff policies, declaring that the nation is in the "golden age of America." He acknowledged that oil prices are temporarily high but asserted that they will decrease as the country grows stronger. Trump pledged to provide every adult American with a $5,000 payment if Republicans secure victories in both chambers of Congress. He warned that Democrats would "loot your wealth" and "annihilate your borders," using derogatory language to describe immigrants from Libya, Yemen, Haiti, and Somalia, which he labeled as terror-infested. In Michigan, Obama also addressed unfounded accusations linking El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood. Both El-Sayed’s opponent and Trump have promoted these claims, which the candidate has denied. Obama defended his fellow Democrat, stating that he had seen similar smear tactics before. The former president emphasized that the election serves as a final opportunity to rein in what he described as the foolishness of the current administration. As the midterm elections approach, the focus remains on whether Democrats can capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with economic conditions and foreign policy missteps to shift the balance of power in Congress.