Obama speeches in Ohio and Michigan: Takeaways on Trump, the Iran war and the midterm elections | News 2026 US midterm elections

Former President Barack Obama spoke out against the Trump administration on a range of issues, including dragging the United States into “an unnecessary war” against Iran, while campaigning for Democrats in Ohio and Michigan ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Speaking at rallies Saturday, Obama accused President Donald Trump of “chaos and corruption” while urging voters to reject Republicans.

The speeches were delivered just ten days before the election, as Senate and gubernatorial elections were taking place in both states.

Here are the key takeaways:

Obama Blames Trump’s Iran War for Rising Fuel Prices

“The current president has chosen to make a series of bad decisions,” Obama said in Cleveland, Ohio, where he rallied behind former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

“More importantly, he decided to start an unnecessary war that no one asked for,” Obama said.

The former president defended the 2015 nuclear deal reached under his administration, which limited Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

“Iran didn’t have nuclear weapons because I had an agreement in place that everyone agreed prevented them from getting nuclear weapons, and I didn’t have to fire a missile to do that. I just had to engage in diplomacy,” Obama said.

“He withdrew from it and started this war.”

Obama blamed the conflict for rising oil and diesel prices, citing attacks on U.S. military bases, U.S. casualties and disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Our allies and our bases have been attacked. Americans have been killed, hundreds of Americans have been injured. We have exhausted our missile stockpile and Iran now has a veto over the Strait of Hormuz, where oil enters the world market,” he said.

Disruptions to the flow of oil across the strait between Iran and Oman have driven up energy prices around the world. Before the war, a fifth of the world’s oil and gas passed through the strait, which Iran used as leverage in the war.

“This is the reason why the price of oil has gone up… This is the reason why the price of diesel has gone up. »

The surge in diesel and gasoline prices will likely cost the Republican Party dearly, as the majority of Americans hold Trump responsible for starting the war and resulting price increases.

Obama also mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his emphasis on military culture and the Pentagon’s plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009.

“These are not serious people,” Obama said.

Tariffs make life more expensive for Americans

Obama criticized Trump’s tariffs, saying Americans were paying more for goods, including products made in the United States from imported parts.

“When you impose tariffs, consumers foot the bill,” he said.

“It’s not just the goods that you use directly that have been imported…It’s also the car that you build here in America. They might need a part from somewhere else, and now all of a sudden there’s a tariff on it.”

He questioned Trump’s trade dispute with Canada, a major U.S. trading partner.

The two countries are locked in a trade dispute, with Trump threatening to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles and auto parts starting in January 2027.

“And the great trade war he’s starting now is against that famous evil empire, Canada,” Obama said sarcastically.

“Canadians are the nicest people… they are like our friendly neighbors to the North, and he wants to fight with them. »

Obama also highlighted the United States’ growing national debt, which has reached $40 trillion.

“Instead of reducing deficits like he said with these tariffs, we now have a debt to the tune of $40 trillion.”

The figure refers to the total federal debt, accumulated over successive administrations, rather than the annual budget deficit.

Accusations of corruption and enrichment of the rich

Obama accused the Trump administration of favoring wealthy Americans while ordinary households struggled with rising costs.

“After two years of chaos, cruelty, corruption and incompetence, the likes of which we have not seen in the modern era, you have an opportunity to say, ‘Enough is enough,'” Obama said. “We are voting for change right here in Ohio.”

He pointed to Trump’s 2025 tax and spending legislation, which extends tax cuts while reducing federal spending on programs such as Medicaid and food assistance.

“The only bill they passed of any significance in the last two years was a trillion-dollar tax break that primarily benefited the wealthiest Americans,” he said.

Obama also took aim at Trump’s White House renovations, including plans for a ballroom, changes to the rose garden and the addition of gold decorations.

“He seems very focused on home renovations. He should be on HGTV,” Obama joked.

“He makes the White House look like Saddam Hussein opened a cheesecake factory, with gold everywhere.”

Obama condemns Trump’s crackdown on immigration

The former president said the United States needs secure borders but criticized the methods used by immigration agents under the Trump administration.

“I believe we need to make sure our border is orderly and secure and that people who want to come here do so legally,” he said.

“But I don’t remember anyone campaigning to send masked officers running through our streets. I don’t remember anyone talking about law-abiding citizens being arrested, detained or shot.”

“This is not what we need to do to control our borders,” he added.

Obama attacks Ramaswamy over controversial Amy Acton ad

In Ohio, Obama criticized Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for a campaign ad featuring his Democratic opponent’s estranged mother, Amy Acton.

The ad features Acton’s mother questioning his honesty and the story of his childhood, without mentioning the sexual abuse allegations that led to their separation decades ago.

He drew criticism from Republicans, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, although Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended him.

Obama condemned Ramaswamy’s decision to use Acton’s family history in the campaign.

“There must be something in you that makes you say, you know, no office is worth stooping that low,” he said.

He also praised Acton’s career in public service and urged Ohio voters to support her on November 3.

Obama urges Michigan voters to support El-Sayed and Benson

In Detroit, Obama campaigned for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson.

He praised El-Sayed’s Michigan roots and criticized his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, for his support of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and Trump’s trade policies.

“Abdul is the best Michigan it can be,” Obama said, referring to his upbringing in the state, his family’s ties to the auto industry and his involvement in school sports.

Obama also addressed attacks on El-Sayed’s Muslim identity, comparing them to false claims about his own religion and birthplace during his presidential campaigns.

“Unlike Mike Rogers, Abdul did not spend months encouraging war in Iran…or calling these tariffs ‘masterful’.”

The former president objected to those who call El-Sayed “radical,” saying “Abdul shares my values.”

Obama also praised Benson for supporting Michigan’s 2020 election results despite threats and protests outside his home.

“When armed protesters showed up outside her home in 2020, demanding she overturn the results of Michigan’s fair and free election, Jocelyn stood her ground, stood up for you and your rights,” he said.

Obama calls midterm elections ‘circuit breaker’ against Trump

Obama said the midterm elections offered voters a chance to limit Trump’s power during the remaining two years of his presidency.

“This election is our last best chance to curb at least some of the madness of this administration,” he said. “This is the circuit breaker for the system. We need to reverse this breaker.”

He also warned that dishonesty, intimidation and harassment were increasingly accepted in American politics.

“We’re not going to fix the economic system or the political system… as long as we have a culture where anything goes and people in the highest offices in the country think it’s OK to lie and cheat and bully,” he said.

“What is missing in our public discourse is simply basic decency. »