Barack Obama mocks Donald Trump for being more offended by a Cheesecake Factory joke than a Saddam Hussein comparison: ‘That part didn’t bother him’

Former President Barack Obama took the stage at a Saturday rally in Ohio supporting the Democratic nominees for Senate and Governor. There, he focused part of his remarks on President Donald Trump’s ongoing work inside the White House.

According to Mediate, he described a series of changes that included a new ballroom larger than the existing building, the Rose Garden being paved over, and a helicopter pad placed on the South Lawn. Obama also highlighted the extensive use of gold in the renovations.

Speaking to the crowd, he said, “He should be on HGTV. Guy’s building a ballroom that’s bigger than the White House. He’s paved over the Rose Garden. Put a helicopter pad on the South Lawn, and there’s gold everywhere. What’s up with the gold? Everything, more gold! He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory!” The comment drew pushback from conservatives, who called it an elitist attack. Trump responded by labeling Obama “stupid” because of the joke.

Treasury secretary appears outside restaurant after Obama comment

Obama picked up the same thread again on Wednesday night during a separate rally for Democrats in Atlanta. He pointed out that Trump showed little reaction to the Saddam Hussein reference, the former Iraqi dictator, but reacted strongly to the restaurant comparison.

“The president wasn’t even mad about the Saddam Hussein comparison,” he said. “That part didn’t bother him. But he was very upset about the Cheesecake Factory comments. He took great umbrage. He said I didn’t understand the work of the artisans in the White House.” Obama framed the selective response as noteworthy.

He then described what followed in the days after the original remark. According to Obama, the White House contacted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a former hedge fund manager worth half a billion dollars. Bessent went to The Cheesecake Factory and spoke with reporters gathered outside after finishing a meal.

Obama told the Atlanta audience, “I mean, it’s all crazy, but this was the really crazy part. They mobilized a whole-of-government response to that joke! Not to inflation, but to that joke. The White House even called the Secretary of the Treasury. This is the man who is in charge of the economy, the person who’s supposed to be figuring out how to make your life more affordable, the guy who’s supposed to be figuring out how to lower inflation and reduce interest rates. They told him he should hold a press conference in front of The Cheesecake Factory.”

He added, “No, y’all didn’t see this? This really happened! And the Treasury secretary, he happens to be a former hedge fund manager worth half a billion dollars and he was out there in front of The Cheesecake Factory explaining how he ordered the delicious French dip cheeseburger instead of the egg rolls.”

He continued by saying, “That’s the game they’ve been playing for the last two years. Just keep throwing distractions out there. Attacks, fabrications, phony outrage and hope that you won’t notice that your bills are higher and your life is tougher.” The Atlanta remarks tied the restaurant appearance back to the broader pattern Obama described.