Obama's Cheesecake Factory jab at Trump backfires, drawing 'elitist' charges

Former US President Barack Obama found himself on the defensive after remarks meant to mock Donald Trump's White House renovation backfired, with critics accusing him of sneering at everyday Americans.

According to Axios and other US online outlets, Obama campaigned for Democratic Party candidates in Ohio on Saturday (local time).

During his speech, Obama argued that Trump had been more focused on redecorating the White House than on easing the cost-of-living burden on Americans. "He should be on HGTV," Obama said, referring to the home-renovation cable channel.

He then mocked Trump's interior choices, saying the president had made the White House look "like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory" — "all gold," he added.

The remarks were widely seen as a dig at Trump's decision to adorn the Oval Office and other rooms with gilded decor, as well as his push to build a large new banquet hall on the grounds.

The Cheesecake Factory is a popular American casual-dining chain known for its ornate gold fixtures, columns, elaborate lighting and props — and a menu of more than 250 items.

Trump's allies quickly pushed back, arguing that Obama had insulted a restaurant beloved by ordinary Americans.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made the point literally, visiting a Cheesecake Factory in Washington on Monday (local time) for lunch. Speaking to reporters afterward, Bessent said he had ordered a French dip cheeseburger. "Had a great meal. Always have a great meal here," he said, adding that he would "encourage the folks from Martha's Vineyard" — a reference to the wealthy Massachusetts resort favored by the Democratic elite — "to come on by."

Bessent also took a swipe at Obama, calling him the man who "built a museum that looks like Darth Vader's tomb" — a reference to the villain from the Star Wars films.

The remark targeted the exterior of the Obama Presidential Center, which opened in Chicago, Illinois, in June.

Conservative political commentator Scott Jennings piled on, saying Obama had "never been to a Cheesecake Factory" and was "unmatched in his contempt for ordinary people."

Amid the back-and-forth, the final stretch of campaigning ahead of the US midterm elections — set for Nov. 3 — has taken on the shape of a direct clash between the two men, Yonhap reported.

In Ohio, Obama went after Trump directly. "After a decade of chaos and cruelty, corruption and incompetence, stupidity and nonsense, you can say enough," he told the crowd.

Trump fired back, calling Obama "a grossly incompetent president" and claiming that when he spotted "Barack Hussein Obama" campaigning in Michigan, "the place was empty."

The two men are the star political figures of their respective parties. Obama led the Democratic Party to presidential election victories in 2008 and 2012, while Trump did the same for the Republicans in 2016 and 2024.

CNN framed the rivalry as a "last battle," noting that while both men claim to represent the authentic American tradition, neither vision of "true Americanism" has secured a decisive advantage in 21st-century American society, Yonhap reported.

CNN also suggested the midterms could mark the final major showdown between the two — Obama turns 65 this year, Trump 80 — as both men's political influence has passed its peak and American society increasingly craves new leadership.