US midterms 2026: Obama urges voters to 'flip that circuit breaker', attacks Trump over 'grifting' and Iran war

Former US President Barack Obama criticised Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, accused his administration of corruption and mocked its White House renovations during campaign rallies in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday, as Democrats seek to gain ground in the November 3 midterm elections.Obama urged voters to support Democratic candidates, describing the elections as an opportunity to limit the Trump administration’s actions and demand greater accountability from the government.Speaking at a rally in Michigan for US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Obama called the November 3 vote a “circuit breaker” that could “at least rein in some of the foolishness” of Trump’s presidency.“We got to flip that circuit breaker, bring some accountability to this government,” he said.The former president also accused Trump of using his office for personal gain and criticised Republicans for backing the administration.“We have never seen a president excel in straight-up grifting, on your dime, like this,” Obama said. “Never seen a president so intent on selling favors like this ... Now the party seems to stand for corrupt government, or inept government, or no government.”Obama, who served as president from 2009 until Trump took office in 2017, remains a prominent figure among Democrats. His campaign appearances are intended to mobilise Democratic voters ahead of elections that will determine control of Congress.In Michigan, he campaigned for El-Sayed, who is facing Republican Mike Rogers, a former US representative, in a closely contested Senate race. Obama also addressed supporters in Cleveland, Ohio, where he continued his criticism of the Republican administration.The rallies came after Trump urged voters to treat the midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency, despite his name not appearing on the ballot. With control of Congress at stake, both parties are seeking to energise their supporters in the final days of campaigning.Obama challenges Trump’s Iran strategyObama questioned the administration’s claims of success in its conflict with Iran, arguing that the war had strengthened Tehran’s economic leverage by increasing uncertainty around shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies.“Iran now has veto power over the Strait of Hormuz, where oil goes through to get to the world,” Obama said.His remarks focused on the strategic consequences of Iran’s threats against shipping in the strait, which have unsettled oil exporters. He challenged the administration’s presentation of the conflict as a victory, arguing that the situation had instead given Iran greater influence over a critical energy corridor.Obama also mocked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing the administration of focusing on superficial issues rather than more pressing national security concerns.He sarcastically described Hegseth as “laser-focused on important matters like the jawline and testosterone levels of our troops”.Mockery of White House renovationsThe former president also took aim at the appearance of renovations at the White House, using humour to criticise Trump’s approach to the presidential residence.“He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory,” Obama said.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.