Before Midterms: Former US President Obama joins the campaign by criticizing Trump

Former U.S. President Barack Obama entered the congressional race on Saturday, launching a sharp critique of incumbent President Donald Trump less than two weeks before the midterm elections. Speaking at rallies in Cleveland and Detroit, Obama accused the Republican leader of corruption and incompetence, characterizing the upcoming vote as a necessary measure to curb the chaos of the current administration. While Trump cast his early ballot in Florida, he dismissed accusations of wrongdoing and reiterated claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, despite having lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Obama addressed crowds in Michigan, specifically campaigning for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. He described the November 3 election as a "circuit breaker" intended to rein in at least part of the foolishness associated with Trump’s presidency. The former president argued that Americans had never witnessed a leader who enriched himself so openly at the expense of the public. He suggested that the Republican Party now represents a corrupt government, incompetent leadership, or perhaps no government at all. The former president also mocked the extensive renovation work underway at the White House. He quipped that the residence looked as though Saddam Hussein had opened a Cheesecake Factory, a reference to the fast-food chain known for its ornate decor. Obama questioned the presence of gold throughout the building, noting that Trump had previously adorned the Oval Office with gold leaf and often highlighted the new look during public appearances. SRF News reported that Obama joked Trump should appear on television channels dedicated to home improvement and interior design. In response to questions from journalists regarding allegations of corruption, Trump stated that true corruption exists within the opposing Democratic party. The president, who is 80 years old, spoke with a noticeably hoarse voice. He again asserted that the 2020 election was manipulated, claiming he actually won by millions of votes. Observers noted that Trump returned to the White House in early 2025 after winning the 2024 election, yet he continues to deny losing the previous cycle to Biden. Analysts fear that if Republicans suffer a defeat in the midterms, Trump may once again raise claims of electoral fraud. Trump voted early on Saturday at a polling station in West Palm Beach, Florida, near his private residence, Mar-a-Lago. He was accompanied by his wife, Melania. After voting, the president wore a sticker on his lapel reading "I voted." Critics have previously pointed out that Trump utilized mail-in ballots in the past, despite his vocal opposition to the method. He sought to tighten mail-in voting rules prior to these midterms, citing efforts to combat fraud. Opponents argue these measures aim to weaken the Democratic voter base, which traditionally relies heavily on absentee voting. On social media, Trump launched a counterattack against Obama via his platform Truth Social. He labeled Obama an extremely incompetent president, alleging that the former leader bribed Iran with billions of dollars and paved the way for nuclear weapons. Trump claimed Obama supported Hillary Clinton, whom he called a fraud, and later Kamala Harris, both of whom lost their respective races. He further characterized El-Sayed, the candidate Obama supports, as a jihadist from the Muslim Brotherhood who hates Jews, Black people, Americans, and Trump. Obama also criticized the administration’s foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran. He argued that current policies have granted Iran greater economic influence, stating that the country now controls the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, Obama attacked Trump’s aggressive trade disputes with Canada and threats of high tariffs. Given Michigan’s reliance on automotive cooperation with its northern neighbor, Obama emphasized that Canadians are "the nicest people," contrasting this with the administration’s stance. The midterm elections take place on November 3, 2026. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs. In 36 states, governors will also face voters. Primary elections concluded in September, following a process that began in March in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas. Polls indicate tight races in several key states. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton in surveys, a potential upset given the state’s historical alignment with Republicans. Similar closeness is observed in Alaska, Ohio, and Iowa. Pollsters warn that average margins of error stand at 3.7 percentage points, making close races difficult to predict. Some analysts suggest that many Trump supporters distrust polling institutions and refuse to participate in phone surveys, potentially skewing results. However, experts note that Trump is not on the ballot this time, and his supporters often stay home during midterms. Data suggests Democrats have built a lead in the House and may reclaim control of both chambers of Congress, though Republicans remain competitive in the Senate.