Obama joins El-Sayed in Detroit as early voting begins

Barack Obama arrived in Detroit on Saturday with a specific mission: close the deficit in Wayne County. The former president addressed thousands at Cass Technical High School, marking his first public endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed for the U.S. Senate. He told the crowd that El-Sayed was fighting for real change that would shift money from politics into voters' pockets. The rally coincided with the start of early voting in Michigan.

Obama acknowledged the political gap directly. El-Sayed defeated Haley Stevens in the August primary, but Stevens held Wayne County by a margin of 51% to 45%. Obama stated that the candidate would finish the work started by the Affordable Care Act. He noted that while the two men have disagreed on policy details, El-Sayed views him as a mentor. Obama joked that Michelle Obama also disagrees with many of his decisions.

The former president shifted his focus to the White House, accusing Donald Trump of enriching his family. He criticized the administration for establishing a culture of taking favors. Obama mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, questioning how much time the official spends in front of a mirror. He also targeted Trump's tariffs on Canada, referring to the country as a well-known evil empire that provided the U.S. with Martin Short and maple syrup. Obama compared the White House renovations to a Cheesecake Factory owned by Saddam Hussein.

This Detroit stop was the second leg of Obama's first in-person campaign weekend. He began the day in Cleveland, Ohio, where he supported Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton. The former senator, Elissa Slotkin, also spoke in Detroit. She told the audience that Michigan elects fighters. She added that she and El-Sayed agree on most issues despite past disagreements. Their goal, she said, is to check the power of the White House.

The race is tight. The Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up. A mid-October Marist poll placed El-Sayed at 50% and Mike Rogers at 48%. RealClearPolitics data shows El-Sayed leading by about 2.6 points. Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump, won a close 2024 Senate race. Trump has called El-Sayed a jihadist, a label the candidate denies. Trump is scheduled to rally in Port Huron on Sunday, the first presidential visit to St. Clair County.

If elected, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the U.S. Senate. His opponent, John James, faces Jocelyn Benson in the governor's race. James would be Michigan's first Black governor if he wins. Obama concluded by emphasizing the value of a fair shot for all citizens, arguing against a system run solely for the top.