Obama Urges Voters in Ohio and Michigan to Reject Republicans, Accusing Trump of "Chaos and Corruption"

Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Democrats in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday, ten days before the November 3 midterm elections. He accused President Donald Trump of "chaos and corruption" and urged voters to reject Republican candidates, according to Al Jazeera.

Both states have races for the U.S. Senate and for governor this year. In Cleveland, Obama rallied in support of former Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

Much of Obama's message focused on the war with Iran. He said Trump started an unnecessary war against Iran, one that nobody had asked for. He said US allies and bases had been attacked, that Americans had been killed and hundreds wounded, and that US missile stocks had been run down. Obama blamed the conflict for rising oil and diesel prices, pointing to attacks on US bases and to disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway between Iran and Oman. Before the war, about a fifth of global oil and gas passed through the strait, and Obama said Iran now has veto power over it.

Obama also defended the 2015 nuclear agreement reached under his administration. That deal restricted Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, meaning the lifting of economic penalties on the country.

On trade, Obama criticized Trump's tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods. He said consumers pay the cost, including for US-built cars that use imported parts. Trump has threatened 50 percent tariffs on Canadian vehicles and auto parts starting in January 2027.

Obama also mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his focus on military culture and over Pentagon plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. Obama pointed to the US national debt reaching $40 trillion.