Former President Barack Obama's return to the campaign trail to blast President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections came at the expense of an unlikely target: The Cheesecake Factory.
During an Oct. 24 rally in Michigan to back Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, the former president said Trump's renovation projects
make the White House look "like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."Obama referred to projects like the controversial White House ballroom and the paved over Rose Garden.
He likened the aesthetic to that of the nationwide chain restaurant known for its uniquely eclectic decor like Egyptian columns, wall murals and hues of gold, brown and red.
Trump has added gold decor throughout the White House, namely with the Oval
Office's maximalist furnishings and outdoor lettering.
Here's what Obama said – and how people, including the White House, are reacting to it.
What did Obama say about The Cheesecake Factory?
Obama said Trump's White House renovation projects suggest the president is not focused on lowering costs for Americans.
"I don't know if you've noticed, but he is very focused on home renovation. He should be on HGTV," he said. "Guy is building a ballroom that is bigger than the White House, paved over the Rose Garden – paved it over – put a helicopter pad on the side lawn."
He mentioned The Cheesecake Factory after saying there is "gold everywhere" around the White House.
"What's up with the gold? I mean, he's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory," Obama said. "It's just gold everywhere. He is clearly not focused on lowering prices for you."
Watch the moment at the video at the top of this story.
White House responds to Obama's Cheesecake Factory comment
On Obama's comments, Davis Ingle, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement USA TODAY: "Thanks to the Builder-in-Chief, no other president has done more to beautify our Nation’s interior than President Trump."
The statement called Obama one of the most "destructive Presidents in history" while praising Trump's efforts.
"From restoring our treasured landmarks, which had suffered years of abuse and vandalism, to cleaning our parks and the Reflecting Pool, President Trump’s bold vision is ensuring the People’s House and our Nation’s Capital will be properly glorified and remain in excellent condition for generations to come," the statement said.
USA TODAY has also reached out to The Cheesecake Factory for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Obama Cheesecake Factory comment spirals into affordability debate
While Obama's comment about The Cheesecake Factory was seemingly aimed at its style of decor, Trump allies piled on about affordability.
"Cheesecake Factory has good food and it’s a place Americans can afford," conservative commentator Laura Loomer wrote on X.
U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, similarly called The Cheesecake Factory "a nice dinner for hardworking Americans" in a post on X.
Scott Jennings, another conservative commentator, slammed Obama in a post on X: "Makes speeches for 500k a pop. Hasn’t eaten dinner that costs less than $250 in years. Has never been in a Cheesecake Factory. Undefeated at condescending to regular folks. Will always be known for a presidency that ushered in the Trump era to begin with."
Other social media users took to defending the chain restaurant's food.
"How out of touch with working class America do you have to be if you are busting on Cheesecake Factory? Have you had that brown bread? The cheesecake with the cherry pie filling poured on top of it? The avocado egg rolls?" one X user wrote.
Katie Miller, wife of White House aide Stephen Miller, wrote on X, "The brown bread at the Cheesecake Factory is the most elite of all the breads."
Meanwhile, others agreed with Obama.
"True! Obama’s not wrong. Trump turned the White House into a dictator’s midlife-crisis version of the Cheesecake Factory," one user wrote on X.
"Cheesecake Factory interiors are famously over-the-top and gaudy," wrote another. "'Like a Cheesecake Factory designed by Saddam' is actually a great description of what Trump has done to the White House."
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Obama’s Trump jab drags Cheesecake Factory into politics
