Barack Obama backs Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s US Senate race, urging voters to support the Democratic candidate as he accused President Donald Trump of enriching himself and his family while promising that El-Sayed would continue the fight for affordable healthcare and political reform.
The former US president addressed thousands of supporters at a campaign rally in Detroit on Saturday, throwing his weight behind El-Sayed and other Democratic candidates as Michigan began early voting ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.
Obama’s appearance marked his first public endorsement of El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health official who emerged victorious from a bitter Democratic primary in August.
The rally also featured Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Senator Elissa Slotkin, who joined Obama in encouraging voters to participate in the election.
Obama Says El-Sayed Will Continue the Fight for Healthcare
Speaking at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Obama portrayed El-Sayed as a candidate committed to tackling the influence of money in politics and improving the lives of ordinary Americans.
He told the crowd that El-Sayed was “fighting for change, real change, that will get money out of politics and put money in your pocket”.
Obama also linked the candidate’s healthcare agenda to the Affordable Care Act, the landmark legislation enacted during his presidency.
He argued that El-Sayed would build on that achievement by expanding access to affordable medical care across the country.
The former president said the candidate would “finish the job we started with the Affordable Care Act and guarantee quality, affordable healthcare to every single American”.
El-Sayed has championed Medicare for All, a proposal for a more comprehensive government-backed healthcare system. His position has previously placed him at odds with some Democratic moderates.
At one point, he described the Affordable Care Act as an incremental solution, raising questions about whether Obama would eventually endorse him.
However, the two men spoke by telephone after the primary, and El-Sayed has since described Obama as a mentor figure.
Obama acknowledged their differences during Saturday’s rally, telling supporters that political disagreements should not overshadow their shared objectives.
“We are not going to agree on every detail of every issue,” he said.
He added that even his wife, Michelle Obama, did not agree with everything he did, using the remark to underline his argument that political allies could disagree without abandoning a common cause.
“We share those values of making sure everybody gets a fair shot in this society,” Obama said, “and that the system’s not just run for those at the top.”
Obama Accuses Trump of Enriching Himself and His Family
Obama used the Detroit appearance to launch a sharp attack on President Trump, accusing his administration of encouraging a culture of personal benefit and political favouritism.
He alleged that Trump had prioritised his own interests and those of his family while governing the country.
“Never seen a president so intent on selling favors like this,” Obama said.
The former president also accused the administration of establishing a “culture … at the top” in which favours were taken and influence was abused.
His comments formed part of a broader Democratic campaign message ahead of the midterm elections, with party candidates seeking to challenge the Republican administration and strengthen their position in Congress.
Obama also mocked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over his public image and approach to military leadership.
He described Hegseth as “laser-focused” on the “jawline and testosterone levels of our troops”, before asking the audience: “How much time do you think this man spends in front of the mirror every day?”
The remarks drew attention to what Obama portrayed as misplaced priorities within the Trump administration.
Former President Mocks Trump’s Tariffs and White House Renovations
Obama also ridiculed Trump’s trade policies, taking aim at the president’s approach to tariffs against Canada.
Referring sarcastically to Canada as a “well-known evil empire”, Obama reminded the Detroit audience that the neighbouring country was only a short distance away across the bridge.
“These are the people who gave us Martin Short and maple syrup,” he said.
The joke played on the close relationship between Michigan and Canada, particularly in the Detroit region, where cross-border connections are central to everyday life and commerce.
Obama also criticised Trump’s efforts to renovate parts of the White House, including plans involving a ballroom and changes to the Rose Garden.
“He should be on HGTV,” Obama said, referring to the television network known for home renovation and property programmes.
He then delivered a more pointed insult about the renovations in Washington.
“He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.”
The comments reflected Obama’s combative tone throughout the rally, where he sought to energise Democratic supporters while challenging the Republican president’s leadership and policies.
Michigan Senate Race Emerges as a Major Midterm Contest
The Michigan Senate contest is among the races attracting national attention as Republicans and Democrats compete for control of the US Congress.
El-Sayed is facing Republican candidate Mike Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump who narrowly lost a Senate contest in 2024 to Democrat Elissa Slotkin.
Slotkin defeated Rogers by less than half a percentage point in that election, highlighting how closely contested Michigan politics can be.
Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat in 25 years, but the party views the current contest as one of its more promising opportunities to gain a seat nationally.
The Cook Political Report has rated the race a toss-up, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the outcome.
A Marist poll of likely Michigan voters conducted in mid-October put El-Sayed on 50 per cent and Rogers on 48 per cent, a margin within the poll’s stated margin of error.
RealClearPolitics’s polling average during a similar period showed El-Sayed ahead by approximately 2.6 percentage points.
The figures suggest that neither candidate can be certain of victory, making turnout and campaigning in key communities particularly important.
Obama’s appearance is expected to help El-Sayed reach voters and strengthen his campaign as early voting begins.
El-Sayed Faces Challenge in Wayne County
Detroit and the surrounding Wayne County area represent an important battleground for El-Sayed.
During the August Democratic primary, his opponent Haley Stevens defeated him in Wayne County by approximately 51 per cent to 45 per cent, despite El-Sayed winning the nomination overall.
Stevens, a moderate congresswoman backed by sections of the Democratic establishment and pro-Israel organisations, had been considered a strong contender.
El-Sayed’s victory positioned him as the Democratic nominee, but the primary results indicated that he still had ground to make up in parts of the county.
Detroit is more than three-quarters Black, making engagement with the city’s electorate a significant element of the broader campaign.
Obama last campaigned in Detroit in October 2024, when he appeared in support of Kamala Harris. Harris also appeared alongside El-Sayed in the city the previous month.
The former president’s latest visit therefore places renewed national attention on the Democratic campaign in Michigan.
Trump’s Attacks and Controversy Surround El-Sayed Campaign
El-Sayed’s campaign has faced attacks from Trump, who has repeatedly criticised the Democratic nominee.
Trump called him a “jihadist”, referring to his middle name and alleging links to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has strongly denied those allegations.
The controversy has added a personal and political dimension to a race already defined by disagreements over healthcare, political influence and the direction of the Democratic Party.
El-Sayed has also faced criticism from the party’s establishment wing because of his appearances with left-wing political streamer Hasan Piker.
Those disagreements reflect divisions within the Democratic Party over its policy priorities, public messaging and approach to reaching younger voters.
Despite the criticism, Obama used the Detroit rally to signal his support for El-Sayed, arguing that their shared values outweighed differences over individual policies.
The endorsement is significant because Obama remained on the sidelines during the August primary, when El-Sayed defeated Stevens.
His decision to campaign for the nominee now offers El-Sayed the backing of one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent national figures.
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Slotkin Calls for Checks and Balances on Trump
Senator Elissa Slotkin also addressed the Detroit crowd, urging Michigan voters to support candidates prepared to challenge the president.
“Michigan believes in electing fighters,” Slotkin told supporters.
She acknowledged that disagreements might arise between her and El-Sayed but stressed that their areas of agreement were more important.
“It’s OK because we agree on so much more,” she said.
Slotkin framed the election as an opportunity to strengthen congressional oversight of the Trump administration.
“We’re putting a check and balance on Donald Trump in the White House,” she said.
Her remarks echoed Obama’s argument that Democrats needed to work together despite differences over policy and political strategy.
The rally brought together candidates with different backgrounds and priorities, united by their opposition to the Republican administration and their efforts to win support ahead of election day.
Trump Plans Rival Rally as Michigan Campaign Intensifies
Trump is scheduled to visit Michigan on Sunday for a rally supporting Republican candidates in Port Huron, a city near the Canadian border.
According to the report, the visit will be the first presidential visit to St Clair County.
The competing appearances highlight Michigan’s importance in the midterm elections, with both parties seeking to mobilise supporters in a state where recent elections have been closely contested.
The general election is scheduled for 3 November, and the outcome of the Senate race could influence the balance of power in Washington.
If elected, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim and first Egyptian American to serve in the US Senate.
The gubernatorial contest is also historic. Benson is facing Republican congressman John James, whose victory would make him Michigan’s first Black governor.
With early voting underway, the campaigns are intensifying their efforts to persuade undecided voters and ensure supporters cast their ballots.
Obama’s Detroit appearance placed healthcare, political accountability and opposition to Trump at the centre of the Democratic message, while El-Sayed’s contest with Rogers remains one of the races to watch as Michigan heads towards election day.
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