White House officials react to Obama's Cheesecake Factory joke

Former President Barack Obama sparked a political reaction when he compared the gilded renovations inside the White House to the decor of the Cheesecake Factory chain. The comment came during a campaign stop in Ohio on Saturday, where he was rallying support for Democratic candidates ahead of the midterm elections.

Obama described the interior as looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory, noting that gold was everywhere. He claimed that the current administration was supergluing gold medallions to the Oval Office mantel and building a ballroom larger than the White House itself. The former Iraqi leader was known for his lavish palaces, which featured gold walls, gold-plated rifles, and a golden throne.

President Donald Trump defended the aesthetic changes, telling reporters that he had fixed the building with the finest artisans in the world. He stated that the White House is in the best shape it has been since 1792. Trump also called Obama not a smart guy when asked about the specific comparison.

The administration amplified the joke through official channels. The White House X account posted a photo of the restaurant's massive menu. The caption read that the only thing bigger than the menu is the list of President Trump's accomplishments. Vice President JD Vance accused the former president of being super elitist in a post on the social media platform.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited a Cheesecake Factory location near the White House on Monday. He ordered a French Dip Cheeseburger and told journalists afterward that he always has a great meal there. Bessent urged the Martha's Vineyard set to give the restaurant a try, a reference to where the Obamas often vacation. He also described the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago as looking like Darth Vader's tomb.

Obama returned to the topic at a rally in Georgia on Wednesday. He said he was surprised the White House mobilized a whole of government response to the joke rather than addressing inflation or corruption. He noted that the president was not upset by the Saddam Hussein comparison but was bothered by the restaurant reference.

The former president stated that he was a proud patron of the chain for many years. He asked his audience if he could have survived his daughters' childhood without visiting the restaurant. Later in the week, President Trump joked at a rally in Texas that the $5,000 he promised every adult citizen could buy a hamburger and a small dessert at his Mar-a-Lago club. He then told supporters not to go there if they were price-conscious.

The Cheesecake Factory was founded in 1978 by David Overton. The chain now operates 218 locations across the country. Its annual revenue stands at $1.03 billion. The restaurants are known for kitschy decor that blends ancient Egyptian and Tuscan styles with Las Vegas flair.