Trump news – live: Obama tells Michigan crowd that 'Joe Biden is my brother, and will make a great president' as Trump campaigns in Pennsylvania
Follow all the latest from the White House and beyond with our up-to-the minute live blog
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Barack Obama has delivered a passionate endorsement of Joe Biden, telling a crowd in Michigan: “Joe Biden is my brother, and he will be a great president.”
Mr Biden thanked him for his support, telling him he was proud of their eight years together in the White House. It is the first time they have been seen together since January 2017.
“President Obama and I created more jobs in the last three years of our administration than Donald Trump did in the first three years of his,” Mr Biden said.
“Only Donald Trump is going to have fewer jobs at the end of this presidency than when he started it. He’s done nothing but wage war on American labour. We believe you should be rewarding work, not wealth, in this country.”
Donald Trump, meanwhile, has landed in Pennsylvania, where he will have four rallies today in Newton, Reading, Butler and Montoursville.
With only three days left of campaigning both sides are giving it their everything.
Kamala Harris is in Florida, with rallies in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Lake Worth, while Mike Pence is in North Carolina.
Obama is delivering a passionate stump speech in Flint, Michigan
"Joe Biden is my brother,” Mr Obama said, on stage in Flint.
“And he will be a great president."
Mr Obama said he didn’t know Mr Biden that well 12 years ago, when he chose him as his vice president, but has grown to respect his “sense of self, his empathy and decency”.
He said: “For eight years Joe was the last one in the room when I made a decision, and he made me a better president. And he will be a great president.
"I never thought Donald Trump would embrace my vision. But I did hope, for the country’s sake, he might show some interest in the job, or he might take the job seriously. But he never has."
Mr Obama accused him of “never taking the presidency any more seriously than a reality show, to give him the attention he craves.”
He referenced the Covid death toll, the unemployment, and the fact that this week has soaring cases.
"His closing argument this week is that the media is too focused on Covid. And now he’s accusing doctors of over-blowing it, because they’ll make money off it.
"He cannot fathom that people would risk their lives to help others.”
Mr Obama repeated his criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic.
“If we had handled the pandemic the same was as Canada, 140,000 fewer Americans would be dead,” he said. "Think about that.
"And yet, when asked whether he would do something different, he said: ‘nope’.”
A plea from one of Michigan’s most famous residents…
Obama: “Imagine having a president who believes in science”
The former president is trying to convince voters to trust Biden.
“I want you, Michigan, to envisage what this country can be. But you can’t just wish for it. You have to fight for it.”
He urges voters “to elect a man who loves America, and who cares about you.”
Biden runs on stage — wearing his aviators, of course.
Joe Biden: “It’s great to be with the president again.”
“It reminds me what can be done,” he said.
"Barack Obama was a great president of the United States of America.
"And through our eight years without one scandal. Without one single trace of scandal, and it’ll be nice to go back to that.
“Three days, and we can go back to that.”
Biden talks about his son’s service and his military endorsements
“We owe them. They are the backbone, the sinew, the heart of who we are,” he says.
“That’s why we have to support the military, and get rid of Trump.”
He says he is proud to have been endorsed by 22 retired four-star generals.
Biden and Obama elbow bump as the rally finishes
It’s the first time the two men have been seen together in public since January 2017.
The view from Michigan
Joe Biden and Barack Obama are holding rallies in Michigan today — a crucial state where he currently has an eight point lead.
It’s also where the FBI foiled a plot to kidnap the Democrat governor, Gretchen Whitmer.
Our Chief US Correspondent Andrew Buncombe writes:
'It's insane that it's gotten to this': Fears of election day intimidation and violence in Michigan
‘Let me be clear: all Michiganders have the right to vote without fear’
Obama and Biden at a second Michigan campaign spot
The two men are standing and chatting in a car park - it’s so informal, and quite charming.
Biden is reminiscing about their Tuesday lunches, and how he and Obama became friends.
"The pandemic has taken the blinders off people.
"There are two ways you get inspired. One is by looking at people like Barack Obama. And the second is by looking at really bad people.
“We have such enormous opportunities. We’re going to not only work on climate change; we’re going to create good jobs.”
Biden has the biggest lead, at this stage of the campaign, in 20 years
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies