US President Donald Trump has hit back at former president Barack Obama after he mocked the appearance of the White House under Trump’s ongoing renovation projects, comparing its interior to a Cheesecake Factory opened by former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Trump responded to the comments on Monday, October 26, 2026, while speaking to reporters before travelling to a campaign rally. He dismissed Obama’s criticism and questioned his record as president.

“For you to say it’s a Cheesecake Factory, that just shows why you were a lousy president,” Trump said.

The president also defended the renovation work, arguing that the White House needed maintenance and repairs. He accused Obama of overlooking problems with the building, including damaged masonry and years of accumulated dirt.

“Guys like Obama, they would pass the front door, they would see the broken masonry. He doesn’t notice dirt and filth where the walls haven’t been cleaned for years,” Trump told reporters.

Trump’s response followed Obama’s remarks during campaign appearances in Ohio and Michigan over the weekend, where the former president criticised the current administration ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections.

Speaking at a rally in Cleveland on Saturday, Obama questioned Trump’s focus on renovation projects, including plans for a large ballroom and the extensive use of gold-coloured decorations around the White House.

“I mean, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he seems very focused on home renovations. He should be on HGTV,” Obama said.

He then added: “He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.”

Obama’s criticism extended beyond the building’s appearance. He argued that Trump was concentrating too much on renovations instead of addressing issues affecting ordinary Americans, including the cost of living.

The White House projects have become a point of political contention, with Trump defending the changes as improvements to the presidential residence while critics have questioned their scale and priorities.

The Cheesecake Factory, the American restaurant chain referenced by Obama, is known for its extensive menu and elaborate interior design.

During his campaign appearances, Obama also accused Trump and his allies of presiding over what he described as “chaos and cruelty,” urging voters to hold the administration accountable in the midterm elections.

Trump and Obama have had a longstanding political rivalry. Trump rose to national political prominence in part through his promotion of the false claim that Obama was not born in the United States, a conspiracy theory that questioned the legitimacy of Obama’s presidency.

The latest exchange comes as both parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the elections, which will determine control of Congress and shape the remainder of Trump’s current term.

Trump has also used his Truth Social platform to attack political opponents and critics in recent days, while continuing to defend his administration’s priorities and record.