Trump rebuts Obama’s Cheesecake Factory comparison, calls former president’s remarks “lousy”
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President Donald Trump dismissed former President Barack Obama’s comment that the White House resembled a Cheesecake Factory, saying the critique shows why Obama was a lousy president.
President Donald Trump responded to former President Barack Obama’s remark that the White House looked like a Cheesecake Factory, saying the comparison illustrates why Obama was a “lousy president.” Obama had made the comment at an October 24 rally in Ohio, mocking Trump’s extensive renovations and gold décor, and suggesting the president should be on a home-improvement TV show.
Trump countered on October 26 while traveling to a rally in Mississippi, asserting that the historic building is in its best condition since its construction in 1792. > "The White House is now in the best shape it’s been since 1792 when it was built. It’s in beautiful shape," he told reporters, adding that Obama’s Cheesecake Factory analogy “just shows why you were a lousy president.”
The exchange drew commentary from Republican figures and conservative media, who described Obama’s remarks as elitist. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later visited a Cheesecake Factory for lunch, noting his enjoyment of the meal. Conservative commentator Scott Jennings and talk-show host Clay Travis used the incident to criticize Obama as out of touch with ordinary Americans.
Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau questioned the backlash, asking on social media why Trump would take offense at a comparison that he said reflected public sentiment. During the Mississippi rally, Trump praised the Cheesecake Factory as a “very successful company” and suggested Obama dislikes successful businesses.
The dispute comes amid the closing phase of the midterm elections, with Democrats seeking to retain control of Congress and Republicans highlighting the White House renovations as a focus on vanity rather than policy issues.