At Mississippi rally, Trump rants at Obama for comparing president’s white house to Cheesecake Factory
Obama’s White House joke
At an Ohio rally on Saturday, Obama pointed to a ballroom, changes to the Rose Garden, a South Lawn helicopter pad and extensive gold accents. He joked that the White House looked like Saddam Hussein had opened a Cheesecake Factory.
Trump responded at a rally in Mississippi on Monday night. He quoted Obama’s line about the restaurant and called it a successful company, adding that Obama disliked successful companies.
Trump defends renovations
Earlier on Monday, while traveling to the rally, Trump had also answered Obama’s criticism. He said he had cared for the White House and repaired it using what he called the world’s finest artisans.
Trump said the building had been in poor condition and described the work as reskinning it. He also said Obama’s Cheesecake Factory comparison showed why Obama had been a poor president.
Reaction on social media
Journalist Aaron Rupar shared a clip of Trump’s remarks with his 1.1 million followers. Rupar said Obama’s joke had made Trump visibly angry. Some social media users agreed that the joke had struck a nerve, while another suggested it had upset the president.
Key points
- Obama mocked the White House’s ballroom, South Lawn helicopter pad, Rose Garden changes and gold accents.
- Trump answered Obama’s joke twice on Monday, including at a Mississippi rally.
- Trump defended the renovations, saying the White House had been in poor shape.
- Journalist Aaron Rupar shared a clip of Trump’s remarks with 1.1 million followers.