DETROIT, Oct 24 – Former U.S. President Barack Obama took aim at President Donald Trump and his Republican allies during campaign appearances in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday, accusing them of promoting cruelty, corruption and political indecency as Democrats seek to strengthen their position ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Obama focused on two closely watched races, defending Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton against a controversial campaign advertisement promoted by Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy and supporting Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed against criticism of his political views and religious identity.
The appearances underscored the importance Democrats are placing on Obama’s ability to energize voters during the final stretch of a campaign that could reshape the balance of power in Washington. Although he left the White House nearly a decade ago, Obama remains one of the party’s most influential campaign figures.
His remarks also came as Trump voted in Florida and defended Ramaswamy’s advertisement, which has drawn criticism from political figures across Ohio and become a wider source of controversy in the gubernatorial contest.
Obama Challenges Ramaswamy Over Controversial Campaign Advertisement
In Ohio, Obama condemned Ramaswamy for using a campaign advertisement featuring Donna Arthur, the estranged birth mother of Acton, who previously served as the state’s health director during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The advertisement features Arthur describing her daughter as a liar and making insinuations about her mental health. Ramaswamy has continued defending the campaign strategy despite objections from Republican leaders, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who have called for the advertisement to be taken down.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance have also defended the advertisement, adding to the controversy surrounding a race that has attracted national attention.
Speaking to supporters, Obama accused Ramaswamy of crossing ethical boundaries for political advantage. He pointed to Acton’s accounts of childhood abuse, neglect and homelessness, arguing that her personal experiences should not be used to damage her political prospects.
“In recent days, we’ve seen there is no line he will not cross, no low he will not sink to,” Obama said.
Acton has previously spoken publicly about her difficult childhood. Her family history includes a case involving her stepfather, Cledith Arthur, who was indicted on a rape charge involving her. The alleged abuse occurred between December 1976 and April 1978. Cledith Arthur failed to appear in court and became a fugitive. Donna Arthur remained married to him until his death in 2004.
The circumstances surrounding Acton’s childhood have become a central element of the dispute over Ramaswamy’s advertising strategy, prompting renewed debate about the boundaries of political campaigning and the use of family histories in election messaging.
Appearing alongside Obama, Acton directly challenged her Republican opponent, accusing him of exploiting painful personal experiences to compensate for difficulties in his campaign.
“My opponent has chosen to exploit, intentionally, my childhood to save his stumbling campaign, but it’s not going to work,” she said, emphasizing that political conduct and personal responsibility remain important to voters.
Acton also warned that the advertisement reflected a broader problem with Ramaswamy’s approach to public office, arguing that his campaign was prioritizing political self-interest over the interests of Ohio residents.
Trump, meanwhile, defended the advertisement while voting in Florida on Saturday. He argued that Arthur’s criticism of her daughter should be considered a meaningful assessment of Acton.
“The mother said that Amy Acton is a liar, and she’s no good,” Trump said. “And you know what? I don’t think you can get a better reference on that.”
Ohio has increasingly favored Republicans in recent elections, but the gubernatorial contest remains closely watched. Trump and Vance have visited the state in recent weeks to campaign for Ramaswamy and Sen. Jon Husted, underscoring the importance Republicans attach to maintaining their influence there.
The dispute over the advertisement has further intensified an already competitive political environment, placing questions about campaign tactics and personal attacks at the center of the race.
Obama Defends El-Sayed and Attacks Trump’s Record
In Detroit, Obama turned his attention to Michigan’s Senate contest, where Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed is challenging Republican Mike Rogers, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Obama defended El-Sayed against accusations that his progressive positions make him too radical for voters. He also challenged criticism directed at the candidate because of his name and faith, drawing comparisons with the personal attacks he faced during his own presidential campaigns.
“We have seen this movie before. I starred in it,” Obama told a crowded high school gymnasium in Detroit. “I’ve got a long-form birth certificate to prove it.”
The reference recalled the false claims about Obama’s birthplace that circulated during his political career, including attacks questioning whether he was eligible to serve as president.
Obama described El-Sayed as closely connected to Michigan and its communities, declaring, “Abdul is as Michigan as it gets.”
He also addressed concerns about differences between the two Democrats on policy. El-Sayed had criticized Obama after his 2012 reelection, arguing that the former president had failed to fulfill all of his progressive campaign promises.
Obama acknowledged the criticism but dismissed the idea that political disagreement should prevent Democrats from supporting one another.
“Some of these folks say, well, you know, Abdul didn’t like some of the things you did as president,” Obama said. “You know who else doesn’t agree with everything I do? Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama, about five times a day.”
The endorsement comes as Democrats seek to expand El-Sayed’s support among Black voters in Detroit, a city where roughly three-quarters of residents are Black. During the primary, his Democratic rival Haley Stevens won Wayne County, which includes Detroit, by approximately six percentage points. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also campaigned for El-Sayed in September.
The challenge for El-Sayed is to unite voters who favor progressive policies with those who are frustrated by the results of years of Democratic leadership. Some Black voters have expressed support for Rogers because they believe Democratic administrations have not delivered sufficient improvements to their communities. Others remain cautious about El-Sayed’s policy positions.
Chunnika Hodges, a Detroit resident who canvassed for El-Sayed on Saturday, said political differences exist within the Black community, including among voters who traditionally support Democrats.
“We don’t lean to the conservative, but we have seen that within our community,” Hodges said. “There are conservative Blacks, conservative Democrats.”
Other voters welcomed Obama’s appearance as an opportunity to encourage greater participation in the election.
Cheryl McWilliams, 67, said the former president’s speech motivated her to vote and expressed hope that turnout would increase before Election Day.
“If Detroit doesn’t vote, whoever’s running is going to lose, period,” McWilliams said, adding that persuading people who believe their votes make little difference remains an important challenge.
Beyond the two state contests, Obama devoted considerable attention to Trump’s presidency, accusing the president and his family of corruption and criticizing the administration’s handling of living costs. He argued that the White House had devoted attention to construction projects while many Americans continued to face financial pressures.
Obama mocked Trump’s plans for a new White House ballroom and a helipad on the South Lawn, suggesting that the president’s focus on renovations contrasted with the concerns of ordinary households.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he seems very focused on home renovation,” Obama said. “He should be on HGTV.”
He also criticized the White House’s increasingly elaborate gold decoration, comparing its appearance to a lavish commercial establishment associated with former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Obama acknowledged that Trump would remain president for another two years, but argued that voters could use the midterm elections to challenge Republican control in Congress and state governments.
“We’re not stuck with a spineless Congress and Republican governors who are handling lawlessness and carelessness and cruelty and indifference for working people,” Obama said.
He urged voters to treat the election as an opportunity to respond to what he described as two years of political turmoil and ineffective leadership.
Trump, campaigning later Saturday in Perry, Georgia, alongside Republican candidates, also referred to Obama’s Michigan appearance. He claimed the Detroit venue had been empty, disputing the enthusiastic reception described by attendees at the event.
Obama is scheduled to campaign in Georgia next week at a rally with Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms.
With Election Day approaching on Nov. 3, the competing appearances reflect the national significance of races in Ohio and Michigan. Democrats are relying on Obama’s popularity and campaign experience to mobilize voters, while Trump and other Republican leaders are working to maintain support for their candidates.
The outcome of the midterms will help determine the balance of power in American politics and shape the political environment for the remainder of Trump’s term.