Trump, Obama trade barbs in final week before US midterm elections

In the final week before the US midterm elections, former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump both made appearances on the campaign trail. Obama's visit was in Georgia, where he rallied support for Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff against Republican Representative Mike Collins. He criticized Trump's policies, such as tariffs and military actions in Iran, and emphasized the importance of America's moral values in the election.

Trump, meanwhile, was in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he faced opposition from Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown. The president attacked Brown for supporting immigration policies he claimed overwhelmed Springfield, Ohio, with Haitian migrants. Trump also spread false claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, eating cats and dogs, which local officials denied.

Both candidates faced protests during their rallies, with Trump dismissing the protesters as paid agitators. The midterm elections are crucial, with Democrats needing to gain a majority in the Senate and Republicans aiming to maintain control in the House. High-profile support from former presidents could influence voter turnout and perceptions of the candidates' abilities to represent the country.