Obama calls Trump agent of chaos and cruelty in Ohio midterm rally

Former President Barack Obama characterized President Donald Trump as an agent of chaos and cruelty during a campaign rally in Cleveland on Saturday, marking his first appearance for the fall midterm elections. Speaking to a near-capacity crowd at the Public Auditorium, Obama mocked Trump’s focus on White House renovations, joking that the president should be on HGTV and that the gold accents made the residence look like a Cheesecake Factory.

The rally aimed to boost Democratic candidates Amy Acton, the nominee for governor, and former Senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking a comeback bid for his old Senate seat. Ohio has emerged as an intense battleground this year, with polls showing both races as toss-ups. Obama specifically criticized Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for airing an attack ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother, calling Ramaswamy thirsty for attention and willing to cross any line.

Obama also urged voters to evaluate Republican candidates by considering whether Trump has lived up to his 2024 promises, singling out tariffs and the war with Iran as drivers of rising costs. He argued that the current administration’s actions are directly responsible for higher prices, while Brown argued that corruption is woven into Washington politics. Trump has rallied in Ohio twice in recent weeks and is scheduled to return next week for an event in Chillicothe.

Read the full story at nbcnews.com.