Obama Takes the Stage in Detroit for El-Sayed

Barack Obama spoke at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Saturday, addressing a crowd of thousands on the first day of early voting in Michigan ahead of the November 3 general election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the party's candidate for governor, also appeared at the rally. Obama told the audience that Abdul El-Sayed is "fighting for change, real change, that will get money out of politics and put money in your pocket." He said El-Sayed would "finish the job we started with the Affordable Care Act and guarantee quality, affordable healthcare to every single American."

The appearance marked Obama's first public support for El-Sayed, a doctor and former Wayne County health official who won an August primary against congresswoman Haley Stevens. Stevens held backing from the Democratic establishment and pro-Israel organizations. Obama did not endorse either candidate during that contest. El-Sayed defeated Stevens there by about 51% to 45%.

Obama also criticized Donald Trump, accusing him of "enriching himself and his family" and describing an administration that set a "culture . at the top" of taking favors. He said of Trump, "Never seen a president so intent on selling favors like this." Obama also mocked defense secretary Pete Hegseth as "laser-focused" on the "jawline and testosterone levels of our troops," asking the crowd, "How much time do you think this man spends in front of the mirror every day?"

The rally followed a campaign stop earlier in the day in Cleveland, Ohio, where Obama appeared with former Ohio senator Sherrod Brown and Democratic governor nominee Amy Acton. The Detroit event was the first weekend of in-person campaigning for Obama during the midterms. Obama last campaigned in Detroit in October 2024 for Kamala Harris, and Harris appeared with El-Sayed in the city last month.

Senator Elissa Slotkin, a featured speaker at the rally, told the crowd that "Michigan believes in electing fighters." Of any disagreements she may have with El-Sayed, she said, "It's OK because we agree on so much more." She added, "We're putting a check and balance on Donald Trump in the White House."

Obama addressed his past differences with El-Sayed, a Medicare for All advocate who once described the Affordable Care Act as an incremental fix. Obama said El-Sayed "didn't like some things you did as president" and added, "We are not going to agree on every detail of every issue." He then said, "You know who else doesn't agree with everything I do? Michelle Obama."

El-Sayed faces Mike Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump who lost a 2024 Senate matchup against Democratic senator Elissa Slotkin by less than half a percentage point. The Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up. A Marist poll of likely voters conducted in mid-October put El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48%, within the margin of error, while RealClearPolitics's average showed El-Sayed ahead by about 2.6 points in a similar timeframe. If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the US Senate. Trump is due in Michigan on Sunday for a rally with state Republicans in Port Huron, on the Canadian border. Obama said, "We share those values of making sure everybody gets a fair shot in this society, and that the system's not just run for those at the top."