Obama backs Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at Detroit rally
Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit, criticizing President Donald Trump and urging voters to support the ticket as early voting begins.
Barack Obama addressed a crowd of thousands at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday, endorsing Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and urging voters to turn out as Michigan’s early voting period opens. Obama said El-Sayed would "finish the job we started with the Affordable Care Act and guarantee quality, affordable healthcare to every single American" and described his campaign as a fight for "real change, that will get money out of politics and put money in your pocket."
"Never seen a president so intent on selling favors like this," Obama said, accusing President Donald Trump of enriching himself and his family and establishing a culture of favoritism at the top of the administration.
The rally also featured Democratic candidates for governor Jocelyn Benson and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, who highlighted Michigan’s tradition of electing "fighters" and framed the election as a check on President Trump’s White House. Slotkin added, "We’re putting a check and balance on Donald Trump in the White House."
Obama’s remarks included jokes about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s focus on troops’ appearance and a jab at President Trump’s renovation projects, saying the president should be on HGTV. He also referenced tariffs on Canada, calling the country a "well-known evil empire" in a tongue-in-cheek comment.
El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health official, faces Republican former congressman Mike Rogers, who was endorsed by President Trump after narrowly losing a 2024 Senate race. A Marist poll of likely voters placed El-Sayed at 50% to Rogers’ 48%, within the margin of error, while RealClearPolitics’ average showed a 2.6-point lead for El-Sayed. If elected, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim and first Egyptian-American U.S. senator.