Former President [Barack Obama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama) took to campaign stages in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday, denouncing President [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump) and urging voters to back Democratic contenders before the November 3 midterm elections.
He accused the Trump administration of driving up the cost of living, a concern amplified by soaring fuel prices, and warned that the president’s decisions have led to “chaos, cruelty, corruption and incompetence” unseen in recent history. Obama urged early voting, saying, “Don’t procrastinate, don’t equivocate.”
**What did Obama say about the Trump administration?**
He claimed the current president “made a series of bad decisions” and “started an unnecessary war that nobody asked for.” In Cleveland, he added, “After two years of chaos and cruelty … you get a chance to say, ‘Enough is enough.’”
**Which Democratic candidates did he support?**
In Ohio, Obama rallied for former Senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking a return to the Senate against incumbent Republican Jon Husted. He also backed Democrat Amy Acton in the governor’s race against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. In Michigan, he campaigned for Abdul El‑Sayed, a progressive Senate hopeful challenging Republican Mike Rogers, and praised incumbent Senator Elissa Slotkin for her representation alongside El‑Sayed.
**How did he portray the White House under Trump?**
Obama mocked recent renovation projects, including the Reflecting Pool’s refurbishment, a new White House ballroom, and ornate Oval Office décor, quipping that “the White House looks like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.”
**What do national polls indicate?**
Surveys suggest Democrats may retake the House of Representatives, while the Senate race remains highly competitive. In Ohio, polls show a narrow Democratic edge in both the Senate and gubernatorial contests, though outcomes are expected to be close.
Overall, Obama’s appearances aimed to mobilise the Democratic base, highlight perceived policy failures of the Trump administration, and encourage early participation in the upcoming midterm elections.