# US midterm election campaign activities > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-midterm-election-campaign-activities > Updated: 2026-10-26T03:02:41.000Z. Sources: 357. Developments: 5. Former President Barack Obama is engaging in campaign efforts across key swing states ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. On October 24, 2026, Obama held rallies in both Ohio and Michigan to support Democratic candidates. In Cleveland, Ohio, Obama campaigned for Senate candidate Sherrod Brown and gubernatorial nominee Dr. Amy Acton. He criticized President Donald Trump’s administration as an agent of “chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence,” specifically mocking White House renovations as resembling a “Cheesecake Factory opened by Saddam Hussein.” Obama also condemned a campaign advertisement by Vivek Ramaswamy that featured Acton’s estranged mother, describing the tactic as a violation of political decency. In Detroit, Michigan, Obama rallied for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, defending him against Republican claims regarding “alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.” Obama argued that the administration’s foreign policy and military involvement in Iran have contributed to rising inflation and fuel prices by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the conflict as an “unnecessary war.” On October 25 and 26, 2026, the campaign clash intensified. President Trump responded to the criticisms via social media, labeling Obama “grossly incompetent” and defending his economic and military strategies. Trump also launched counter-campaigns in Georgia and Michigan, specifically attacking El-Sayed by describing him as a “fake doctor” and a “jihadist” while endorsing Republican candidate Mike Rogers. ## Claims - Barack Obama campaigned in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday, October 24. (corroborated by 36 sources) - Amy Acton is a Democratic candidate for governor in Ohio. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Sherrod Brown is running for U.S. Senate in Ohio against Republican Jon Husted. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Abdul El-Sayed is running against Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Obama characterized Donald Trump as an agent of chaos and cruelty. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Obama blamed the Trump administration for the increase in living costs and gas prices. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Obama described the US-Israel war on Iran as an unnecessary war. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Obama endorsed Amy Acton for governor of Ohio. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Obama compared the White House decor to a Cheesecake Factory opened by Saddam Hussein. (corroborated by 13 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Barack Obama criticizes Donald Trump at Midwest campaign rallies Barack Obama held rallies in Ohio and Michigan to support Democrats, criticizing Donald Trump's leadership and White House renovations. Trump responded by calling Obama “incompetent.” 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barack-obama-criticizes-donald-trump-ahead-of-us-elections ### 2026-10-25: US Midterm Elections: Trump and Obama clash in battleground states President Trump and former President Obama are clashing in US battleground states ahead of the November 3 midterms, with debates centering on tariffs, economic stability, and congressional control. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-and-obama-clash-in-swing-state-rallies-ahead-of-midterm-elections ### 2026-10-24: Barack Obama campaigns in Ohio and Michigan ahead of midterms Former President Barack Obama campaigned in Ohio and Michigan, endorsing Democratic candidates and criticizing the Trump administration's leadership, foreign policy, and White House renovations. 333 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barack-obama-to-campaign-in-ohio-and-michigan-for-democrats ### 2026-10-15: Barack Obama to campaign in Ohio for Democrats Former President Barack Obama will visit Cleveland on October 24 to campaign for Ohio Democrats Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton in key Senate and gubernatorial races. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barack-obama-to-campaign-in-ohio-for-democrats ### 2026-10-06: Obama and Trump to campaign in Michigan swing state Barack Obama and Donald Trump are both heading to Michigan to campaign for their respective parties in a pivotal midterm election battleground involving a highly contested Senate seat. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/obama-and-trump-to-campaign-in-michigan-swing-state --- Cite as: US midterm election campaign activities. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-midterm-election-campaign-activities