President Donald Trump used a Sunday Truth Social post to attack former President Barack Obama and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, turning a dispute over White House construction into a midterm campaign exchange.
Trump called Obama “grossly incompetent,” criticized his Iran policy and campaign endorsements, and urged Michigan voters to support Republican Mike Rogers. He also attacked El-Sayed’s medical credentials, but the post did not substantiate its claims about the candidate.
Obama made the remark Saturday, Oct. 24, at a Cleveland rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and Senate candidate Sherrod Brown. He mocked the construction work, saying, “He should be on HGTV.”
In Detroit, Obama appeared with El-Sayed and Jocelyn Benson, a candidate for Michigan governor, the AP reported. The AP said the Ohio and Michigan races are among contests that could shape the balance of power in Washington.
Bridge Michigan reported that El-Sayed is not licensed to practice medicine in Michigan. His campaign biography says he earned a medical degree from Columbia University.
Trump’s Iran criticism did not identify which transaction he meant by “billions.” The archived State Department account dates the IAEA’s confirmation of Iran’s key nuclear steps to Jan. 16, 2016; that day, the United States and European Union lifted sanctions tied to the nuclear program. The Congressional Research Service describes a separate $1.7 billion settlement over military equipment undelivered since the Shah era, made up of $400 million in principal and $1.3 billion in interest; the settlement was announced the following day.
The White House says construction on the planned State Ballroom began in September 2025. Its current project page describes about 90,000 square feet of space with seating for 650, funded by Trump and other donors. A July 2025 White House announcement said the East Room seats 200.
The White House also documented a ribbon-cutting for its South Lawn helipad on Sept. 21. The 2026 midterm elections are scheduled for Nov. 3.
