Politics · United States · 40 mins ago
Obama mocks Trump's White House renovations at Ohio campaign stop
Barack Obama mocked renovations tied to Donald Trump during a campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio.
He compared the White House changes to Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory.
Obama was there to support Democratic candidates Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown, who are running for governor and Senate.
The remarks focused on Trump's renovation projects in the Washington area.
They brought the White House changes into the political debate during the campaign stop.
The account gives no details about what happens next.
Former President Barack Obama mocked President Donald Trump’s White House renovations at a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday.
Obama compared the White House’s appearance to “Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory” and said Trump should be on HGTV.
He was campaigning for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and Senate candidate Sherrod Brown ahead of the midterm elections.
Obama criticized Trump’s focus on renovations and said he was not focused on lowering prices.
The renovations include changes to the Rose Garden and a new South Lawn helipad, as well as a ballroom project.
- Who
- Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump.
- What
- Obama mocked Trump’s White House renovations and criticized his priorities.
- When
- Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Where
- A campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio.
- Why
- Obama was campaigning for Ohio Democrats and said Trump was focused on renovations rather than issues such as lowering prices.
Barack Obama
Trump administration
Renovations
Barack Obama
Obama mocked the projects and portrayed Trump as overly focused on home renovations.
Trump administration
The renovations include functional upgrades, according to Fox News; the ballroom is intended to provide permanent, secure space for large official events.
Priorities
Barack Obama
Obama said Trump was not focused on lowering prices and criticized his priorities.
Trump administration
Not stated
Trump ordered updates to the Rose Garden.
The Rose Garden’s central lawn was replaced with limestone paving, while roses were retained around the perimeter.
Trump unveiled an upgraded White House helipad, according to Fox News.
Obama criticized Trump’s renovations at a campaign rally in Cleveland.
- Event
- Obama campaign rally
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Democratic gubernatorial candidate
- Amy Acton
- Democratic Senate candidate
- Sherrod Brown
- Rose Garden update
- Central lawn replaced with limestone paving in 2025
- Helipad
- Upgraded facility unveiled in September 2026
4 sources
„Sieht aus, als hätte Saddam Hussein ...“ - Obama verspottet Trumps Weißes Haus
Obama on Trump White House: ‘Like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory’
Obama compares Trump's White House renovations to 'Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory' at Ohio rally
Barack Obama Unleashes on Trump for ‘Home Renovations’ Fixation in 2nd Term: ‘He Should Be on HGTV’
What people are saying
He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.
He should be on HGTV.
He’s clearly not focused on lowering prices for you.
Most importantly, he decided to start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for and nobody voted for.
Posts on X
OBAMA: He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory. It's gold everywhere.