Treasury Secretary Dines at Cheesecake Factory to Answer Obama Criticism

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ordered a $22.95 French Dip Cheeseburger at a Washington, D.C. Cheesecake Factory on Monday. He made the visit to answer former President Barack Obama, who had compared the current White House renovations to the chain restaurant's decor. Bessent, a former hedge fund manager with an estimated net worth of $600 million, praised the meal before addressing the criticism on X.

Obama sparked the exchange during a speech at a rally in Ohio on Saturday. He told the crowd that Trump was focused on home renovations and should appear on HGTV. Obama noted the abundance of gold in the White House and said the building looked as if Saddam Hussein had opened a Cheesecake Factory. The audience cheered and laughed at the remark.

Bessent responded to the comment as he left the restaurant near the White House. He told a Fox Business reporter that Obama built a museum that resembles Darth Vader's tomb. The former Treasury Secretary referred to the Obama Presidential Center, a large structure that opened in June. Bessent said he always has a great meal at the chain and suggested that the Martha's Vineyard set give it a try.

The former president vacationed on Martha's Vineyard while in office. He and his wife, Michelle, now own an estate on the island. Bessent said he ordered his usual item: the French Dip Cheeseburger. The menu lists the dish as a charbroiled cheeseburger on a toasted brioche roll with grilled onions, sriracha mayo, and au jus. It is priced at $22.95 at the downtown Washington location.

Bessent added a recommendation on social media, telling Obama to try the Cheeseburger Spring Rolls. His comments followed remarks from other Trump allies who accused Obama of elitism. Republican commentator Matt Whitlock called the remark classic Obama snobbery. He wrote that the restaurant is a good option for people who cannot afford a private chef.

GOP pundit Scott Jennings said Obama has never been in a Cheesecake Factory. Jennings described the former president as undefeated at condescending to regular folks. Some observers pushed back against the criticism. Derek Guy, a menswear influencer, said the view was condescending. He noted that his working-class immigrant family ate at the chain for fancy nights out.

Guy argued that working-class people are not culturally illiterate. He stated that the White House should not look like the inside of a Red Lobster. Trump defended his redesign on Monday afternoon. He said the White House is a symbol of America and must be maintained properly. Trump claimed Obama did not see dirt, filth, or broken ornaments on the building.

Trump said the columns cannot be broken and the bricks cannot fall off from under the plaster. He added that calling the space a cheesecake factory showed why Obama was a lousy president. Trump has spent time discussing the renovations, including the gold leaf in the Oval Office. He has also built a helipad and is constructing a new ballroom.

The exchange is occurring days before the midterm election on November 3. Polls indicate Democrats may gain seats in Congress. The election cycle has featured widespread unhappiness with high costs, which has lowered Trump's approval ratings. The Cheesecake Factory is scheduled to report its third-quarter earnings on Tuesday.