Obama Stumps in Ohio, Trump Defends White House Refurbishments, Vance Targets Elitism Over Cheesecake Factory

Obama joke sparks backlash

Former President Barack Obama stumped for Democrats in Ohio and joked about President Trump's White House refurbishments, saying they looked "like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory. Just gold everywhere." President Trump responded by defending his taste, saying: "I've taken care of the White House, I've fixed it with the finest artisans in the world." The White House X account posted a photo of the Cheesecake Factory's famously large menu, saying "Since we're talking about The Cheesecake Factory... The only thing bigger than the menu is the list of President Trump's accomplishments." Vice President Vance reacted by accusing Obama of being out of touch with ordinary Americans, writing on X: "Obama, without even trying to be, just can't help himself for being super elitist." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent then sought to capitalize on the backlash by having lunch at a Cheesecake Factory near the White House on Monday.

Reporting for this sectionAZPM

Designer questions priorities

Rick McCormack, the designer behind the Cheesecake Factory decor, said he was surprised after Obama made the comparison to Saddam Hussein at a political rally on Saturday. McCormack told an interviewer on Tuesday, "I’m not emotionally attached to the Cheesecake Factory design, but don’t we have more important problems in the country?" The New York Times described the episode as part of a broader pattern in which the restaurant chain became a topic during midterm elections in the United States. McCormack said the whole affair seemed silly as the White House responded by denouncing Obama as elitist and unleashing internet chaos about class optics. The New York Times also framed the controversy as a continuation of earlier blistering criticism that the chain endured long before its decor became a political talking point.

Reporting for this sectionThe New York Times

Campaign money and culture

President Trump told supporters at a political rally in Texas that they could spend the $5,000 he promised every adult citizen if Republicans keep Congress on dining out at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Trump joked, "The problem is that for $5,000, the most you'll be able to buy is a hamburger and maybe a small dessert," before adding, "I'm not even sure you could buy that." Obama later took up the theme again at a rally in Georgia on Wednesday, saying he was surprised the White House was more upset about the Cheesecake Factory remark than about policy and corruption. Obama said, "They mobilized a whole of government response to that joke. Not to inflation, but to that joke." Obama also stressed that he had been a proud patron of the restaurant for many years, saying, "I am the father of two daughters. Do you think I could have survived their childhood without going to the Cheesecake Factory?"],

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Reporting for this sectionAZPM