Former President Barack Obama took aim at President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Georgia, recounting what he described as an exaggerated government response to a joke he made comparing White House renovations to Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory.
Obama, speaking at an event to support Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, said the White House was particularly upset about the Cheesecake Factory reference. "The President wasn't even mad about the Saddam Hussein comparison," Obama stated. "That part didn't bother him – but he was very upset about the Cheesecake Factory part."
According to Obama, the administration "mobilized" the entire government over the remark. He claimed the White House contacted the Secretary of the Treasury, the official in charge of the economy, and instructed him to hold a press conference in front of a Cheesecake Factory.
Obama also directed criticism toward Trump's cabinet secretaries, specifically mentioning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He mockingly suggested Hegseth was "laser-focused on very important matters like the jawline and testosterone levels of our troops, and live streaming executions."
Earlier remarks by Obama, made during a campaign appearance in Ohio, had suggested Trump "should be on HGTV" for his extensive White House remodeling projects. Obama had quipped that Trump was making the White House "look like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."
President Trump responded to Obama's earlier comments by calling him a "lousy president" and a "stupid person" who did not understand the need to maintain the historic residence. Trump asserted that he had "taken care of the White House" with "the finest artisans in the world."
Obama's rally appearance in Georgia was part of efforts to boost Democratic candidates, including Senator Jon Ossoff, who is seeking reelection, and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Trump himself has recently held campaign events in Georgia, and former Vice President Kamala Harris is also scheduled to visit the state later in the week.