Former United States President Barack Obama has criticised President Donald Trump’s administration over rising living costs, the war involving Iran and what he described as widespread incompetence and corruption, as he campaigns for Democratic candidates ahead of the November midterm elections.
Speaking at campaign rallies on October 24, Obama accused Trump of making decisions that had worsened economic conditions, particularly through his handling of the conflict with Iran.
He argued that the administration’s policies had contributed directly to rising costs, describing the war as unnecessary and one that Americans had neither requested nor voted for.
“The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions. Most importantly, he decided to start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for, nobody voted for,” Obama said.
He also mocked Trump’s gold-themed decorations and renovation work at the White House, comparing the building’s appearance to the extravagant style associated with former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in key states, including Amy Acton, who is contesting the governorship in Ohio, and former Senator Sherrod Brown. In Michigan, he supported Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson.
He described the November elections as an opportunity for Americans to demand a change in direction after what he characterised as two years of chaos, cruelty, corruption and incompetence.
Obama also campaigned in Georgia, where he supported Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms.
The midterm elections are expected to determine which party controls Congress for the remainder of Trump’s presidential term, with significant implications for his legislative agenda.
Deborah Adeyefa
