Trump and Obama trade barbs in the final week before US midterm elections

Summary

With less than a week to go before US congressional races that could shift the balance of power in Washington, Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic former President Barack Obama both took prominent roles on the campaign trail on Wednesday. Neither man is on the ballot. Thirty-five of the 100 Senate seats and all 435 House seats are being contested next Tuesday. Nonpartisan analysts generally favor Democrats' chances of capturing a majority in the House, while the Senate contest is seen as very close. Ahead of the final weekend of campaigning, The Guardian's podcast previews the midterms, with 39 governorships also up for grabs and the Cook Political Report's Carrie Dann running through some of the races to watch.

Timeline

1. France 24

   29 Oct 2026, 14:48 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Trump and Obama traded barbs in the closing week of the US midterm election, both taking prominent roles on the campaign trail on Wednesday, with less than a week to go before the congressional races.

2. The Guardian

   30 Oct 2026, 12:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 39 governorships are up for grabs in Tuesday's midterm elections, and that Jonathan Freedland and Carrie Dann of the Cook Political Report run through some of the races to watch before the final weekend of campaigning.