Trump and Obama campaign in key states before 2026 midterms

President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama both hit the campaign trail this week as the 2026 midterm elections enter their final sprint, appearing at joint rallies in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to boost their parties’ candidates. Trump, speaking to a crowd of Republican volunteers in Scranton, urged voters to “protect the gains of 2024” and warned that Democrats would try to “undo everything.” Obama, addressing a group of Democratic activists in Milwaukee, called the midterms “the most important fight for the future of our democracy” and urged turnout in swing districts.

The appearances matter because control of the House and Senate will hinge on a handful of competitive races. After a narrow split in the 2024 elections, both parties are scrambling for votes in suburban districts that flipped last cycle. Trump remains the GOP’s top fundraiser and his endorsement still delivers cash and volunteers, while Obama’s involvement is seen as a rallying point for progressive donors and volunteers. Historically, former presidents who campaign for their parties can shift the narrative and raise turnout, a tactic both sides hope will tip the balance in closely contested states such as Michigan, Nevada and Georgia.

At the Scranton rally, Trump raised $12 million in a single night, a record for a midterm fundraiser, and promised to visit additional battleground states before the November vote. Obama’s Milwaukee event drew a crowd of 5,000 and generated $8 million in small‑donor contributions, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Republican leaders praised Trump’s “unmatched energy,” while Democratic officials highlighted Obama’s “inspirational call to action.” Critics on both sides accused the former presidents of turning the election into a personality contest rather than focusing on policy.

The next weeks will see a flurry of candidate visits, television ads and voter‑registration drives ahead of the November 5 election. Both parties hope the former presidents’ presence will translate into higher turnout in key districts and help secure a majority in Congress. With control of the legislative agenda at stake, the final sprint could determine which party shapes the nation’s policies for the next two years.