Barack Obama has mocked Donald Trump’s White House renovations, saying the presidential residence now looked as if “Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory” during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio.
The former president made the remark while supporting Democratic candidates Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown at Cleveland Public Auditorium on Saturday, 24 October, ten days before Ohio’s midterm elections.
“I mean, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he seems very focused on home renovations,” Mr Obama told the crowd. “He should be on HGTV.”
He then listed the White House ballroom project, changes to the Rose Garden and an upgraded helipad on the South Lawn before criticising Mr Trump’s reported preference for gold decoration.
“He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory,” Mr Obama said.
White House projects become campaign issue
The comments turned a series of construction projects at the White House into a political issue in the closely fought Ohio races. Mr Obama accused the president of focusing on renovations while Americans faced pressure over household costs and other domestic concerns.
The Rose Garden’s central lawn was replaced with limestone paving in 2025, creating a patio for official events while retaining roses around the perimeter. A refurbished granite helipad featuring the presidential seal was also unveiled in September.
The proposed ballroom is intended to provide a permanent and secure venue for large official functions, reducing the administration’s reliance on temporary structures. A National Park Service environmental assessment said the need for additional event space had been identified in a White House planning document dating back to 2000.
Mr Obama’s appearance was aimed at boosting Mr Brown, who is seeking to return to the Senate by challenging Republican Jon Husted, and Ms Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
The former president also criticised Mr Trump’s handling of the conflict with Iran and defended the nuclear agreement negotiated during his presidency. But his sharpest attack of the rally centred on the changing appearance of the White House and what he portrayed as misplaced presidential priorities.
