Obama attacks Trump as he campaigns for Democrats ahead of midterm elections

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Obama attacks Trump as he campaigns for Democrats ahead of midterm elections Figure caption, Watch: US midterms are 'last best chance to rein in' Trump administration, Obama saysByMax MatzaPublished24 October 2026Updated 1 hour agoFormer President Barack Obama has attacked the Trump administration over the Iran war and high consumer prices as he hit the campaign trail for Democrats ahead of the US midterm elections. "This election is our last best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness of this administration," Obama told crowds in Ohio on Saturday. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump sought to energise voters at a rally in Georgia, after he cast an early ballot alongside First Lady Melania Trump in Florida.

Early voting has already begun ahead of the 3 November elections, which will decide which party controls Congress for the rest of Trump's presidency. Speaking on Saturday in Ohio and Michigan, Obama targeted Trump and his cabinet members, at one point mocking the president's attempt to redecorate the White House. "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,'" the former president said during his appearance in Cleveland.

The Details

Obama said he sympathised with voters who rejected Democrats in 2024 over economic and inflation concerns following the Covid pandemic. But he said Trump has only himself to blame for the current state of the economy. "If you thought everything was too expensive before 'you know who'," he said, referring to Trump, "everything is more expensive now".

Who will win the midterms? How the US elections will be won and lost Published16 OctoberWhat are the US midterms? A simple guide Published6 OctoberHe also said that the war had given Iran "veto power" over the Strait of Hormuz, which was open to marine traffic before hostilities began in February.

When asked about the Iran war earlier on Saturday, Trump said: "I've done it very effectively and I may have to finish it off, or maybe they'll make a deal, but I'm not sure. "Trump also told reporters "we will see" when asked if Melania Trump would visit Ukraine, after the White House said that she "successfully secured" a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. Image source, ReutersImage caption, Trump cast his ballot in West Palm Beach in Florida on SaturdayThe Republican president has faced significant pressure to lower oil prices, which have jumped due to the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

What Experts Say

He recently struck a deal with Russia to export the country's diesel to the US, despite pushback from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. At his afternoon rally, Obama also took a swipe at Trump's efforts to renovate the White House. "What's with all the gold?

He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened up a Cheesecake Factory," Obama joked.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.