Obama Mocks Trump: Made the White House Look Like Saddam Opened a Cheesecake Factory Branch

Former U.S. President Barack Obama launched sharp criticisms of current President Donald Trump at two campaign rallies on Saturday in Ohio and Michigan, in support of Democratic Party candidates ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November 3.

The former president retains considerable popularity among the Democratic base and is keen to leverage it to back his party’s candidates in the crucial elections.

In both states, the 65-year-old Obama blamed the Trump administration for the rising cost of living, a key issue preoccupying voters amid sharp increases in fuel prices.

Speaking in Ohio, Obama said, “After two years of chaos, corruption, and incompetence—things we haven’t seen in modern times—you have the opportunity to say, ‘Enough is enough.’” He added, “We are voting for change here in Ohio.”

He continued, “The current president has chosen to make a series of bad decisions. More importantly, he decided to launch an unnecessary war that no one asked for.”

Later, in Michigan, Obama participated in a campaign event in support of Abdulrahman Al-Sayed, a member of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, who is engaged in a tight race with Republican Mike Rogers for a U.S. Senate seat.

Obama noted, “You have a Muslim man and a Jewish woman fighting for you in the U.S. Senate. That’s something you can be proud of in Michigan.”

In response, Trump attacked Obama’s campaign efforts in Michigan in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, urging voters to choose Rogers.

Trump wrote, “Obama was an extremely incompetent president! He handed Iran billions of dollars and paved the way for it to acquire a nuclear weapon,” referring to the 2015 agreement reached during Obama’s tenure, which eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for significant curbs on its nuclear program.

Trump withdrew the U.S. from that agreement during his first term and imposed sweeping sanctions, including on countries purchasing Iranian oil.

Obama urged voters to cast their ballots as early as possible, especially since early voting has already begun in both states.

Polls in Ohio show a slight lead for Democrats, but results are expected to be close.

Nationally, polls also suggest that Democrats may regain control of the House of Representatives, but they face much stiffer competition in the race for the Senate.

Obama also criticized restoration and renovation projects undertaken by Trump across Washington, D.C., including the failed restoration of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, the creation of a large event hall at the White House, and the addition of gilded decorations to the Oval Office during his second term.

Sarcastically, Obama remarked, “He made the White House look like Saddam Hussein had opened a branch of Cheesecake Factory there,” referencing the popular American restaurant chain known for its over-the-top decor.