Former US President Barack Obama campaigned in Ohio and Michigan to support Democratic candidates ahead of the 3 November midterm elections, while President Donald Trump rallied Republicans in Georgia, with both leaders seeking to shape the political debate over the economy, foreign policy and governance.
Obama described the election as a critical opportunity to challenge the Trump administration, saying: "This election is our last best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness of this administration", says the BBC.
Trump, campaigning alongside Senate candidate Mike Collins in Perry, Georgia, defended his economic record and predicted a nationwide Republican victory, declaring that "we're in the golden age of America" and that Republicans would "crush" Democrats.
Obama criticises administration's record
Obama criticised the administration's handling of government, accusing it of a pattern of misconduct and poor leadership over the past two years.
"After two years of chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence, the likes of which we have not seen in the modern era, you get a chance to say, 'enough is enough.'"
He also addressed concerns about the cost of living, acknowledging that inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic had contributed to some voters turning away from Democrats in 2024. He argued that prices remained a concern under Trump.
"If you thought everything was too expensive before 'you know who,' everything is more expensive now."
On foreign policy, Obama warned that the ongoing military conflict in Iran had inadvertently given Tehran "veto power" over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
He also mocked Trump's White House renovations, saying: "What's with all the gold? He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened up a Cheesecake Factory."
Trump defends economy and Iran strategy
Trump defended his use of tariffs, saying the United States was "taking in massive amounts of money through tariffs". He accused Democrats of seeking to "loot your wealth" and "annihilate your borders".
Addressing concerns about fuel prices linked to conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, Trump described pump prices as "temporarily high" and predicted they would fall.
"Our country is getting stronger and stronger all the time, and those pump prices are going to come down."
Trump also defended his approach to the conflict in Iran, saying: "I've done it very effectively and I may have to finish it off, or maybe they'll make a deal, but I'm not sure. Either way, we win."
He reiterated a campaign promise to provide a $5,000 payout to every adult American if Republicans secured majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Ohio races draw focus over campaign advertisement
Obama's rally in Cleveland aimed to support former senator Sherrod Brown, who is running against Republican Senator John Husted, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, who is challenging Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
Obama and Acton criticised a campaign advertisement released by Ramaswamy that featured Acton's estranged mother calling her a liar. The advertisement did not mention that the mother's husband had been charged with raping Acton when she was a child.
"In recent days, we've seen there is no line he will not cross. No low he will not sink to try to get in the limelight... I mean, think about this latest ad he ran," Obama said.
Acton accused Ramaswamy of exploiting her childhood to bolster his campaign.
"He has chosen to exploit my childhood" to "save his struggling campaign", she said.
The campaign appearances came as both parties sought to mobilise voters ahead of the 3 November elections, with the economy, the administration's record and the conflict in Iran among the issues raised on the trail.