Obama Mocks Trump's White House Renovations, Tariffs in Detroit Rally

Former President Barack Obama sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Saturday at a rally in Detroit, mocking his White House renovations, trade tariffs, and approach to foreign policy.

Speaking at Cass Technical High School, Obama, who was stumping for Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, accused the Trump administration of corruption and a lack of focus on the needs of ordinary Americans.

"I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he is very focused on home renovation," Obama said of Trump, drawing laughter from the crowd. "He should be on HGTV." Obama described the White House renovations as excessive, noting the addition of a ballroom, the paving over of the Rose Garden, and the installation of a helicopter pad on the South Lawn. "And then there is just gold everywhere," he added. "What’s up with the gold? I mean, he’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."

Obama also criticized Trump's trade policies, particularly regarding Canada. "Canada, it’s your neighbor. It’s a few mins drive over the bridge. These are the people who gave us Martin Short and maple syrup," he said. "They are the nicest people – they’re so nice."

Turning to foreign policy, Obama called the situation in Iran a "war nobody asked for and nobody voted for." He also derided Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, questioning his priorities.

"How much time do you think this man spins in front of the mirror every day?" Obama asked. "These are not serious people."

The former president's remarks came as Trump himself had earlier called Obama a "lousy president" on Saturday. Obama acknowledged El-Sayed's past criticisms of him, noting that the candidate had described those comments as coming from his "younger" and "angry" self.

El-Sayed, who is in a competitive race against former Rep. Mike Rogers, spoke earlier at the rally. He drew parallels between his own background and Obama's, mentioning their shared experience of having parents of mixed backgrounds and receiving names that some found unusual.

"I was raised by my dad and my stepmom Jackie, a daughter of the American Revolution in the middle of the state. They said he got a funny name – I got a funny name," El-Sayed said, evoking Obama's own comparisons.

Obama concluded his remarks by urging attendees to support El-Sayed, stating, "We got to start showing what a future on the other side of this administration can look like, and that starts with all of you … It starts with you sending Abdul El-Sayed to the United States Senate."