Obama urges voters to back Democrats in midterm campaign rallies

Former president urges voters to reject 'chaos and cruelty' as Democrats seek to retake Congress

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Former US president Barack Obama delivered scathing criticisms of President Donald Trump at rallies in Ohio and Michigan on Sunday, urging voters to support Democratic candidates in the 3 November midterm elections. Obama blamed the Trump administration for rising living costs and an 'unnecessary war,' and called on voters to end what he described as two years of 'chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence.'

Barack Obama campaigned in Ohio and Michigan on behalf of Democratic candidates in closely watched races, seeking to leverage his enduring popularity among the party's base to help Democrats regain control of one or both chambers of Congress. Republicans currently hold majorities in both the House and the Senate.

In Cleveland, Ohio, Obama campaigned for former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown, who is attempting a comeback against incumbent Republican senator Jon Husted. The former president blamed the Trump administration for soaring fuel prices and rising costs, a top voter concern. 'The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions,' Obama said. 'Most importantly, he decided to start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for.'

'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 declared. 'We are voting for change right here in Ohio.'

In Michigan, Obama campaigned for Abdul El-Sayed, a candidate from the party's left wing who is in a tight Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers. Obama praised a potential pairing with incumbent Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin, who is not up for election this year. 'Imagine the power duo of Abdul and Elissa,' Obama said. 'You got a Muslim man, you got a Jewish woman fighting for you in the United States Senate. That's something, Michigan, you can be proud of.'

Early voting is already under way in both states. 'Don't procrastinate, don't equivocate,' Obama urged.

The former president also took aim at Trump's renovation projects in Washington, including the National Mall's Reflecting Pool, a new White House ballroom and gilded Oval Office decorations. 'He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory,' Obama said.

In Ohio, the governor's race between Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is also on the ballot. Polls suggest Democrats hold a slight lead in the Ohio Senate and governor's races, though outcomes are expected to be close. Nationally, polls indicate Democrats may regain control of the House, while the Senate race remains more competitive.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The midterms will determine control of Congress, shaping President Trump's ability to advance his agenda for the next two years.
Key battleground races in Ohio and Michigan could tip the balance in the Senate, where Democrats face an uphill fight.
Obama's active campaigning signals the high stakes and the party's effort to mobilise voters amid economic concerns and ongoing international conflicts.

Background

Barack Obama served two terms as US president from 2009 to 2017 and remains a popular figure among Democrats. The 2026 midterm elections come two years into Donald Trump's second term, with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress. Voters cite inflation and the cost of living as top issues, alongside foreign policy. Obama has been a regular surrogate for Democratic candidates in competitive states.

What to Watch

The final week of campaigning before the 3 November vote, with attention on turnout in early voting states like Ohio and Michigan.
Whether Obama's appearances shift polls in the close Senate and governor races.
National polls tracking control of the House, where Democrats currently have a slight advantage.

Sources

Obama blasts Trump while campaigning for US midterms · RTÉ News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedObama delivered scathing criticisms of Trump at rallies in Ohio and Michigan to support Democratic candidates ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.RTÉ News: “Former US president Barack Obama delivered scathing criticisms of his successor, Donald Trump, at rallies in Ohio and Michigan to support Democratic candidates ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.”
Not in the sourcesObama held the rallies on Sunday.
SupportedObama urged voters to back Democratic candidates in the midterm campaign.RTÉ News: “Barack Obama delivered scathing criticisms of his successor, Donald Trump, at rallies in Ohio and Michigan to support Democratic candidates ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.”
Partly supportedObama urged voters to reject “chaos and cruelty.”RTÉ News: ““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,’” Mr Obama declared in Cleveland.”
SupportedObama said the current president made bad decisions and started an unnecessary war that nobody asked for.RTÉ News: ““The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions,” Mr Obama said in Ohio, where he rallied in support of former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown. “Most importantly, he decided to start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for.””
SupportedObama described two years of “chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence” and said voters could say “Enough is enough.”RTÉ News: ““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,’” Mr Obama declared in Cleveland.”
SupportedObama said, “He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.”RTÉ News: ““He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory,” Mr Obama said, referring to popular but indulgent American restaurant chain.”
SupportedObama blamed the Trump administration for rising living costs amid soaring fuel prices.RTÉ News: “In both states, the 65-year-old former president blamed the Trump administration for the rising cost of living, a top voter concern amid soaring fuel prices.”
SupportedObama campaigned for Sherrod Brown, who was attempting a comeback against incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted.RTÉ News: “In Ohio, Brown will attempt a comeback against incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted”
SupportedIn Michigan, Obama campaigned for Abdul El-Sayed, who was in a close Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers.RTÉ News: “Later, in Michigan, Mr Obama campaigned for Abdul El-Sayed, from the party's left wing, who is in a close race with Republican Mike Rogers for the US Senate.”
SupportedEarly voting was already open in both states, and Obama urged voters not to procrastinate or equivocate.RTÉ News: “Obama also urged voters to cast their ballots as soon as possible since early voting is already open in both states. “Don't procrastinate, don't equivocate,” Mr Obama said.”
SupportedPolls suggested Democrats had a slight lead in Ohio’s Senate and governor races, while a close result was expected; nationally, Democrats could regain the House, with a more competitive Senate contest.RTÉ News: “Polls for Ohio give Democrats a slight lead in both those races, but the results are expected to be close. Mr Obama also took digs at Mr Trump's renovation projects across the US capital, including his botched renovation of the National Mall's Reflecting Pool, his construction of a massive White House Ballroom and the guilded decorations he has adorned the Oval Office with during his second tenure. “He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory,” Mr Obama said, referring to popular but indulgent American restaurant chain. Nationally, polls also suggest that D”