Cheesecake Factory at center of political debate in Central Indiana

A joke about restaurant decor has become a focal point for political friction in the run-up to the midterm elections.

The situation began on Saturday when former President Barack Obama spoke at a rally in Ohio. He compared the gold-heavy renovations at the White House to the interior of a Cheesecake Factory. Obama stated the space looked as if Saddam Hussein had opened a restaurant. He noted that gold was everywhere in the design.

Obama added that Trump had been supergluing gold medallions to the Oval Office mantel. He also mentioned that the Rose Garden was paved over and a ballroom was being built that is larger than the White House itself. The remarks came as Obama argued that the current administration was out of touch with Americans facing high costs of living and the economic effects of the war in Iran. He described the past two years as a period of chaos, cruelty, and corruption.

The White House reacted quickly to the comments. President Donald Trump defended his taste in a briefing with reporters. He said he had fixed the White House with the finest artisans in the world. Trump claimed the building is in the best shape it has been since 1792. He also described Obama as not a smart guy. The official White House X account posted a photo of the Cheesecake Factory's large menu. The post stated that the only thing bigger than the menu is the list of Trump's accomplishments.

Vice President JD Vance joined the response on social media. He accused Obama of being super elitist. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited a Cheesecake Factory near the White House on Monday. He ate a French Dip Cheeseburger and told journalists the meal was great. He urged the Martha's Vineyard set to give the restaurant a try. Bessent also remarked that Obama built a presidential museum in Chicago that looks like Darth Vader's tomb.

Obama returned to the theme at a rally in Georgia on Wednesday. He said he was surprised the White House focused on the restaurant joke rather than policy issues. He noted that the president was not upset by the comparison to Saddam Hussein. Obama said the administration mobilized a whole of government response to the joke instead of addressing inflation. He mentioned that the White House told the Treasury Secretary to hold a press conference in front of a Cheesecake Factory. He said he had been a patron of the chain for years and asked if he could have survived his daughters' childhood without it.

The chain was founded in 1978 by David Overton. It now operates 218 locations across the country. The company reported annual revenue of $1.03 billion. Its decor is often described as mixing ancient Egypt, Tuscany, and Las Vegas styles.

On Thursday, Trump spoke at a rally in Texas about the $5,000 cash payment promised to adult citizens if Republicans keep Congress. He suggested the money could buy a hamburger and a small dessert at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. He then told supporters not to go there if they were price conscious.