Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump over the White House’s gold-filled decor and rising consumer prices, accusing his successor of making decisions that have increased costs for Americans.Speaking at a rally in Ohio, Obama mocked Trump’s interior design choices, comparing the presidential residence to a lavish establishment associated with former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein."There's gold everywhere. What's up with the gold? Everything, more gold. He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."Former President Barack Obama Campaigns With Ohio Democrats In Cleveland - Source: GettyThe remark immediately drew laughter among the spectators. Obama noted:"So, he’s clearly not focused on lowering prices for you."The former president also questioned Trump’s handling of the economy, arguing that his campaign promises to lower costs had not translated into relief for American households."He made a bunch of promises to get costs under control. I think we should examine how did these promises work out? Well, first of all, if you thought everything cost too much before… everything is more expensive now. I want to be fair."Obama continued:"As a former president, I can tell you sometimes factors beyond the president's control end up foiling the best-laid plans. That is not the case here. This administration's actions are directly responsible for rising costs. The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions. Most importantly, he decided to start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for, and nobody voted for."Obama slams Trump over Iran warObama specifically blamed the administration’s war against Iran for increases in oil and diesel prices. He argued the conflict gave Tehran leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments."This is the reason why the price of oil is up. Nobody disputes that. This is the reason the price of diesel is up. This is the reason why the price of just about everything is up."He also argued that the original justification for confronting Iran was to stop the country from pursuing nuclear weapons, contrasting Trump’s military approach with the nuclear agreement reached during his own presidency."The original rationale was we're going to go in there and get them to give up their nuclear program, their nuclear weapons."The former president maintained that diplomatic negotiations had addressed the nuclear threat without requiring military action."I didn’t have to fire a missile to do it. I just had to engage in diplomacy."Barack Obama Joins Kamala Harris As She Campaigns For President In Georgia - Source: GettyObama then criticized Trump for withdrawing from the Iran nuclear agreement before launching the current conflict. He questioned the administration’s claims of success, pointing to the continued fighting months after officials declared victory."He pulled out of it, starts this war. So, seven months later, how's that war going?"He then highlighted the reported consequences of the conflict for American forces and military resources."Our allies and our bases have been attacked. Americans have been killed, hundreds of Americans have been wounded. We have run down our stock of missiles."Former President Barack Obama is supporting Democratic candidates in key 2026 midterm racesAlso Read: "I could say the stupidest things and you'd clap": Trump praises supporters during Tennessee rally to boost GOP candidatesAlso Read: "We are very early right now": Trump dodges questions about endorsing JD Vance for president in 2028