Ohio: Former US President Barack Obama launched a sharp attack on President Donald Trump at a rally in Cleveland, Ohio, criticising his administration over the war with Iran, tariffs and immigration policies. He also accused Trump of using the presidency for personal gain and described the November 3 midterm elections as a crucial opportunity to check the administration’s actions.
Obama addressed the rally on Saturday at the Cleveland Public Auditorium in support of Democrat Amy Acton, who is running for Ohio governor, and former Senator Sherrod Brown, the Democratic candidate for the US Senate. Brown introduced Obama at the event.
“This administration’s actions are directly responsible for rising costs,” Obama said. He accused Trump of starting a war with Iran that, according to him, Americans had neither asked for nor voted for.
Obama Criticises Trump Over Iran War and Rising Oil Prices
Speaking about the conflict with Iran, Obama argued that diplomacy had been an effective way to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons during his presidency.
“Iran didn’t have nuclear weapons because I put a deal in place that everybody acknowledged, kept them from getting nukes, and I didn’t have to fire a missile to do it. I just had to engage in diplomacy,” he said.
Obama also highlighted the consequences of the ongoing conflict, saying that US allies and military bases had come under attack and that American personnel had been killed and wounded.
“Seven months on,” he said, “Our allies and our bases have been attacked, Americans have been killed, hundreds of Americans have been wounded, we have run down our stock of missiles and Iran now has veto power over the Strait of Hormuz where oil goes through to the world market.”
He linked the situation to rising fuel costs in the United States.
“This is the reason why the price of oil is up,” Obama said. “This is the reason the price of diesel is up.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major shipping route for global crude oil supplies, including shipments to Asian importers such as India. Any disruption to the route can affect energy markets and oil prices.
Obama Takes Aim at Trump’s Tariffs and Immigration Policies
Obama also criticised Trump’s trade policies, arguing that tariffs had contributed to higher prices for consumers.
“Trump loves tariffs,” Obama said, adding that the administration had been warned that “consumers pay the tab”.
“In fact tariffs helped contribute to rising prices,” he said.
He also mocked Trump’s trade dispute with Canada, drawing laughter from the audience.
“And the big trade war he’s starting now is with that well-known evil empire, Canada,” Obama said. “These are the people who gave us maple syrup and Martin Short.”
On immigration, Obama said he supported having a secure and orderly border, with people entering the country through legal channels. However, he questioned the enforcement methods used under Trump’s administration.
“But I don’t recall anybody campaigning on sending masked agents running through our streets,” he said. “I don’t recall anybody talking about law-abiding citizens being arrested, detained, or shot.”
Obama also took a swipe at renovations at the White House, joking about the planned ballroom.
“He should be on HGTV. The guy’s building a ballroom that’s bigger than the White House,” Obama said, adding that “there’s gold everywhere.”
Obama Accuses Trump of Using Presidency for Personal Gain
The former president also accused Trump of using his office for personal benefit. He referred to a pardon granted to a Venezuelan billionaire and raised concerns about cryptocurrency ventures and taxpayer-funded contracts involving companies linked to Trump’s children.
“We have never seen a President It’s just straight-up grifter on your dime,” Obama said. “From meme coins to taxpayer funded contracts for his kids’ companies.”
Obama also criticised Republicans in Congress for not doing more to challenge the President’s actions. He specifically named Ohio Senator Jon Husted, who is facing Sherrod Brown in the Senate race.
“Not a single Republican in Congress has done anything to stop him,” Obama said.
Obama Calls Midterm Elections a Chance to Check Trump
Turning to the November 3 midterm elections, Obama urged voters to use the polls to hold the administration accountable.
“This election is our last best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness of this administration. It’s the circuit breaker in the system. We need to flip that circuit breaker,” he said.
Obama also criticised Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy over a campaign advertisement targeting Amy Acton.
After his appearance in Cleveland, Obama travelled to Detroit to campaign for Democratic candidates in Michigan.
His Ohio rally focused on the economy, the Iran conflict, trade and immigration, while also highlighting the importance he attached to the upcoming midterm elections.