Former United States President Barack Obama has criticised President Donald Trump’s administration over what he described as chaos, corruption and incompetence, urging voters to support Democratic candidates in the November 3 midterm elections.
Obama made the remarks at a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, where he accused the administration of poor leadership and called on voters to demand change at the ballot box.
“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 said. “We are voting for change right here in Ohio.”
The former president also blamed Trump’s administration for the rising cost of living, which remains a major concern among voters amid increasing fuel prices.
“The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions. Most importantly, he decided to start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for,” Obama said.
With early voting already underway in Ohio, Obama urged residents to cast their ballots promptly rather than wait until election day.
“Don’t procrastinate, don’t equivocate,” he told voters.
Obama remains a prominent figure among Democratic supporters, and the party is seeking to leverage his popularity to improve its candidates’ chances in the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
Ohio Senate and Governorship Races
In Ohio, former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is seeking a return to the Senate in a contest against incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted.
The state’s governorship race will feature Democratic candidate Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who contested the 2024 presidential election.
Polls in Ohio indicate a narrow advantage for Democrats in both contests, although the races are expected to be closely fought.
Nationally, opinion polls suggest Democrats have a chance of regaining control of the House of Representatives, while the Senate contests are expected to be more competitive.
Obama to Campaign in Michigan
Following his appearance in Cleveland, Obama is scheduled to travel to Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday evening for another campaign rally.
He is expected to campaign alongside Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who represents the party’s left wing and faces a competitive contest against Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Although Democrats currently hold both of Michigan’s Senate seats, the contest is expected to be closely fought.
Obama’s campaign appearances in Ohio and Michigan underscore the importance of high-profile party figures in mobilising voters as Democrats seek to strengthen their position in Congress.