Former US President Barack Obama has criticized President Donald Trump over the war in Iran, rising living costs and the conduct of his administration. Obama made the remarks while campaigning for Democrats ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Obama spoke at events in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday. He urged voters to support Democratic candidates and use the election to challenge Trump’s policies. He described the vote as an important chance to limit what he sees as harmful decisions by the administration.
“This election is our last best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness of this administration,” Obama told supporters in Ohio.
Trump, meanwhile, defended his record at a rally in Georgia. He praised his immigration and tariff policies and told the crowd that the United States was entering what he called a “golden age of America.”
The competing campaign messages came as both parties sought support before a vote that will determine control of Congress for the rest of Trump’s term. The outcome will affect how easily the president can pass laws and carry out his plans.
Obama focuses on rising prices
The former president placed the cost of living near the center of his message. He said he understood why some voters had turned away from Democrats in 2024, when inflation and economic pressure following the Covid pandemic were major concerns.
However, Obama argued that Trump had not delivered the relief many voters expected. He said prices remained a serious problem for American families and blamed the current administration for failing to address their concerns.
“If you thought everything was too expensive before ‘you know who’,” Obama said, referring to Trump without naming him, “everything is more expensive now”.
Obama also attacked the wider record of the administration during his speech in Cleveland. He described the past two years as a period marked by chaos, cruelty, corruption and incompetence.
He told the crowd that voters had an opportunity to express their views through the ballot box. His comments were aimed at energizing Democratic supporters and reaching people who remain worried about the economy and the direction of the country.
Trump rejects criticism
Trump used his Georgia rally to present a more positive view of the country’s economic outlook. He defended his trade policies and argued that tariffs were bringing large amounts of money into the United States.
“We’re taking in massive amounts of money through tariffs,” Trump told supporters in Perry.
He also repeated a promise to provide a $5,000 payment to every adult American if Republicans win control of both chambers of Congress. The pledge formed part of his campaign message as he encouraged voters to keep Republicans in power.
Trump acknowledged that oil prices were temporarily high. However, he predicted that fuel costs would fall and said the country was growing 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 become a concern for the administration as the wars in Iran and Ukraine put pressure on energy markets. Higher costs at petrol stations can affect household spending and add to public concern about inflation.
Trump’s comments showed his effort to reassure voters that his policies would improve the economy, even as the administration faces pressure over energy costs.
Immigration remains a key issue
Immigration was another major part of Trump’s speech. He accused Democrats of threatening American wealth and border security, claiming they 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.
Trump recalled a previous meeting with senators in which he questioned why the United States accepted people from certain countries rather than nations such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
The remarks reflected the deep differences between Republicans and Democrats over immigration. Trump has made border enforcement a central part of his political agenda, while Democrats have challenged his policies and their effects.
Trump votes early in Florida
Early voting has already started in parts of the United States. Trump cast his ballot in Florida on Saturday, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump.
The vote came as campaigns continued across the country, with both parties seeking to turn public concerns into support at the polls.
The November 3 election will determine which party controls the House of Representatives and the Senate for the remainder of Trump’s term. Control of Congress can shape legislation, federal spending and investigations into the administration.
If Republicans retain both chambers, Trump could have a clearer path to advancing his plans. If Democrats gain control of either chamber, they could increase oversight and make some policy goals more difficult to achieve.
The final campaign period has placed economic pressure, immigration and foreign policy at the center of the debate. Obama is urging voters to challenge Trump’s record, while the president is defending his policies and promising continued economic progress.
With early voting underway, the outcome will help determine the balance of power in Washington and shape the political environment for the rest of Trump’s presidency.
