WASHINGTON: Former US president Barack Obama has criticised President Donald Trump over alleged corruption, his administration’s handling of the war with Iran and the lavish refurbishment of the White House, urging voters to use the November 3 midterm elections to hold the government accountable.
Campaigning for Democratic candidates in Cleveland and Detroit on Saturday, Obama accused the Republican president of exploiting his office for personal gain and questioned the administration’s claims of victory in the conflict with Iran.
Addressing a rally in Michigan in support of Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Obama described the upcoming elections as a “circuit breaker” that could help rein in what he called the excesses of Trump’s presidency. “We got to flip that circuit breaker, bring some accountability to this government,” Obama said.
🇺🇲 Former President Barack Obama delivered a blistering attack on Donald Trump’s war with Iran on Saturday, questioning the administration’s claims of victory as American casualties mount, U.S. military installations come under attack and the Strait of Hormuz remains a major source of disruption to global energy markets.
“How’s that war going?” Obama asked during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio.
He contrasted the current conflict with the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under his administration, arguing that diplomacy had constrained Iran’s nuclear program without requiring military action.
Obama then pointed to attacks on American bases and allies, the deaths and injuries of U.S. service members, pressure on American missile inventories and rising energy costs.
He reserved some of his sharpest criticism for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, mocking his focus on military appearance and physical standards while questioning the administration’s handling of the war.
“These are not serious people,” Obama told the crowd, warning that Americans were paying the price for their decisions.
The speech comes as the Trump administration faces mounting scrutiny over the human, military and economic costs of its confrontation with Iran, nearly eight months after the first U.S.-Israeli strikes. https://t.co/TPberSy3qe
— The Tectonic (@thetect0nic) October 24, 2026
Obama, who served as president from 2009 to 2017, remains a prominent figure among Democrats. His campaign appearances are intended to mobilise party supporters ahead of closely contested congressional elections.
During his address, Obama accused Trump of engaging in what he described as profiteering and selling political favours, arguing that the Republican Party had become associated with corruption and ineffective governance.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in August, 63 per cent of Americans believed Trump and his family had improperly profited from cryptocurrency since his return to the White House in 2025. The survey also found that 69 per cent believed his policy decisions were influenced by his private business interests.
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Obama also challenged the administration’s claims of success in the war with Iran, arguing that the conflict had strengthened Tehran’s economic leverage by increasing uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies.
“Iran now has veto power over the Strait of Hormuz, where oil goes through to get to the world,” he said. His remarks highlighted concerns about the strategic and economic consequences of tensions surrounding the waterway, through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments passes.
Obama also mocked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over what he portrayed as an excessive focus on the physical appearance and testosterone levels of US troops.
Turning to Trump’s White House renovations, the former president ridiculed the decorative style, describing it as excessively ornate and comparing it to the interiors associated with former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and the American restaurant chain Cheesecake Factory.
The criticism comes as Democrats seek to make the midterm elections a referendum on Trump’s presidency and his administration’s policies. The November 3 elections will determine control of Congress, with both parties competing for influence over the legislative agenda and the president’s ability to advance his priorities.
