Obama Campaigns for Democratic Candidates, Criticizes Trump as 'All Tricks, No Treats

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On Saturday, former President Barack Obama rallied support for Democratic gubernatorial candidates in two pivotal states, urging voters to reject what he described as the “lawlessness and recklessness” characterizing President Donald Trump’s administration in the upcoming election.

Obama, who remains a prominent and respected figure within the Democratic Party, delivered a scathing critique of the Trump administration while supporting Virginia’s gubernatorial candidate, Abigail Spanberger, and New Jersey’s candidate, Mikie Sherrill, at campaign events.

Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, Obama remarked, “Let’s face it, our country and our policies are in a pretty dark place right now,” eliciting cheers from Spanberger’s supporters.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has indicated he will consider a White House run after the 2026 midterm elections.

Obama continued, “It’s hard to know where to start,” highlighting the administration’s daily delivery of “lawlessness and recklessness and mean-spiritedness and just plain craziness,” as he addressed the gathering.

He said he was surprised at how quickly business leaders, law firms and universities opted to “bend the knee” to appease Trump.

Later Saturday at an event in Newark, New Jersey to support Sherrill, Obama struck many of the same themes as he continued his criticisms of the Trump White House. “It’s like every day is Halloween, except it’s all tricks and no treats,” Obama.

The former president occasionally dipped into sarcasm in mentioning Trump decisions such as remodeling parts of the White House even as a federal shutdown continues.

“In fairness he has been focused on some critical issues, like paving over the Rose Garden so folks don’t get mud on their shoes, and building a $300 million ballroom,” Obama said.

Polls show Spanberger, 46, with a sizable lead over the Republican candidate, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, 61. Spanberger, a former CIA officer, was a congresswoman for six years.

Most polls show Sherrill with a single-digit lead over Republican Jack Ciatterelli, 63, a former state assemblyman making his third consecutive run for the governor’s seat.

Republicans in New Jersey have been encouraged in recent years by some statewide races that were closer than expected. Although New Jersey Democrats have a 2-to-1 edge in registered voters, Ciatterelli lost by only three percentage points in the 2021 gubernatorial race, and Donald Trump lost New Jersey by just six points in last year’s presidential election.