Obama attacks Trump over inflation as Democrats fight for Michigan Senate seat

Investing.com -- Former U.S. President Barack Obama criticised President Donald Trump’s economic policies at a Michigan campaign rally on Saturday, blaming tariffs and the Iran war for rising consumer prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Speaking to approximately 4,300 supporters at a Detroit high school, Obama urged Democrats to vote for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who faces Republican Mike Rogers in a closely contested race.

Obama argued that Trump’s trade policies and military involvement in Iran had increased fuel prices, household costs and the federal deficit.

He also criticised Republican lawmakers for failing to challenge the president, saying voters had an opportunity to impose greater congressional oversight through the midterm elections.

The Michigan contest is particularly important to Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the Senate, where the party needs a net gain of four seats.

El-Sayed holds a narrow lead over Rogers in recent polling, with the race becoming the most expensive Senate contest in Michigan’s history.

The winner will replace retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, making the seat crucial to both parties’ calculations for Senate control.

Obama accused Rogers, a former Republican congressman, of supporting Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war before subsequently distancing himself from those positions.

The former president also endorsed El-Sayed’s campaign message of reducing political influence over government while addressing household financial pressures.

El-Sayed would become the first Muslim U.S. senator if elected.

His candidacy has drawn criticism from Vice President JD Vance and other Republicans, who have alleged links between El-Sayed and the Muslim Brotherhood.

El-Sayed has denied the allegations, and no evidence supporting the claims has been presented.

Obama’s Michigan appearance followed an earlier campaign event in Ohio as Democrats intensified their efforts to mobilise voters ahead of Election Day.