Obama Blames Trump Administration for Rising Living Costs and Escalation with Iran

Former U.S. President Barack Obama, in a campaign speech delivered Wednesday in support of Democratic candidates ahead of the November 3 elections, attacked the policies of current President Donald Trump, saying his administration is responsible for rising living costs and the fallout from the conflict with Iran, and accusing him of corruption and putting his personal interests ahead of citizens’ needs.

Obama urged voters to put an end to what he called "two years of chaos, cruelty, corruption and incompetence," noting that Americans are facing increases in mortgage costs, health care and utility bills, interest rates, as well as higher fuel prices.

He pointed out that gasoline prices had reached about $4 to $5 per gallon, that diesel had topped $6 and continued to rise, and said decisions by the Trump administration directly contributed to higher living costs, while also acknowledging that the president does not control every economic factor and that some circumstances may be beyond his control.

Obama explained that the current economic situation is linked, in his view, to a series of mistaken decisions, chief among them entering what he called an "unnecessary war," questioning the results of that war after roughly seven months and noting that U.S. allies and bases have been attacked, U.S. soldiers have been killed and hundreds more wounded, in addition to the depletion of U.S. missile stockpiles.

He also tied higher oil, diesel and commodity prices to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran now has the ability to affect oil flows to world markets. He questioned the rationale for the confrontation, recalling the nuclear deal reached with Iran during his presidency, saying Tehran did not possess nuclear weapons under that agreement and that diplomacy had been able to manage the issue without launching missiles, criticizing Trump’s decision to withdraw from the deal and start the confrontation.

He also mocked Trump’s alterations to the White House, including gold decorations and renovation projects, likening the look of the residence to the palaces of the former Iraqi president’s regime, and said the focus on refurbishing the building comes instead of addressing citizens’ problems.

Obama accused Trump of seeking to enrich himself, his family and his close associates rather than working to lower prices and improve living conditions, and called on voters to hold the current administration accountable in the upcoming elections.

Obama’s remarks came in the context of the Democratic campaign ahead of the U.S. congressional midterm elections, in which candidates are competing for seats in the House and Senate and for various state-level offices.