Obama Criticizes Trump and Allies at Ohio Rally Amid Midterm Campaign

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 25, 2026

Former President Barack Obama criticized President Trump and Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio for what he called unethical campaign tactics, including an ad exploiting the difficult childhood of Ramaswamy’s Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. His rally underscores the high stakes of the 2026 midterm elections in key battleground states like Ohio and Michigan, as Democrats aim to counter Republican efforts and regain control of Congress.

Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump and his Republican allies Saturday during a campaign rally in Ohio, targeting what he characterized as a decline in political decency amid the highly contested 2026 midterm elections. Speaking in Cleveland, Obama condemned Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for an advertising campaign that features the estranged mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton.

Obama highlighted Acton’s difficult childhood, which included abuse, neglect, and homelessness, calling the ad a new low in political tactics. “There’s a decency we should expect out of our public officials,” Obama said. “I don’t know what’s happened where the standards of behavior are so low that somebody could run an ad like that.” The former president also accused Ramaswamy of crossing ethical lines to advance his campaign.

Ramaswamy has defended the ad as a legitimate part of the political process. Acton, speaking at the event alongside Obama, directly challenged Ramaswamy’s approach. “My opponent has chosen to exploit, intentionally, my childhood to save his stumbling campaign, but it’s not going to work,” she said. “Decency still matters.” She further asserted that Ramaswamy is “out for yourself” and poses a danger to Ohio.

Alongside Acton and former three-term Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to unseat Republican Jon Husted in the Senate race, Obama urged voters to reject what he called the cruelty and chaos associated with the current administration. He specifically faulted Trump for failing to fulfill promises to reduce costs of living, instead focusing on personal White House projects, including a new ballroom and helipad. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he seems very focused on home renovation,” Obama quipped.

Ohio, which has trended Republican in recent years, remains a pivotal battleground state for the midterms scheduled for November 3. Trump and Vice President JD Vance have actively campaigned in the state to support Republicans Husted and Ramaswamy, while some Ohio GOP leaders, including Governor Mike DeWine, have urged the removal of Ramaswamy’s controversial ad.

After his Ohio appearance, Obama traveled to Detroit, Michigan, to rally support for Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for governor. El-Sayed recently emerged from a tightly contested primary and faces former Republican Representative Mike Rogers in the general election. Obama’s visit to Detroit, a city with a significant Black population, aims to strengthen El-Sayed’s position among key Democratic constituencies in a state critical to the midterm balance of power.

Obama is also scheduled to headline upcoming events in Georgia alongside Senator Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, where Trump is slated to campaign as well. The midterms are widely viewed as a referendum on the current administration’s policies and political direction, with control of Congress hanging in the balance.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.