Obama Mocks Trump’s White House As ‘Saddam Hussein’s Cheesecake Factory’ At Ohio, Michigan Rallies

Former US President Barack Obama criticised President Donald Trump over rising living costs, the Iran war and White House renovations while campaigning for Democratic candidates in Ohio and Michigan on Saturday. With the November 3 US midterm elections approaching, Obama also attacked Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy over a controversial advertisement targeting his Democratic rival, Amy Acton.

Speaking at a rally in Cleveland, Ohio, Obama backed former senator Sherrod Brown and criticised Trump’s policies, accusing the administration of contributing to economic pressures facing American households. He also condemned what he described as unnecessary military action and questioned the president’s priorities amid concerns over fuel prices and affordability.

“After two years of chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence, the likes of which we have not seen in the modern era, you get a chance to say, ‘Enough is enough,’” Obama said, urging voters to challenge the administration in the midterm elections.

Obama also mocked Trump’s White House renovation projects, including plans for a massive ballroom, a helicopter landing pad on the South Lawn, changes to the Rose Garden and extensive gold decorations.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he seems very focused on home renovations. He should be on HGTV,” Obama said before delivering his sharpest jibe. “He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.”

The former president also condemned Ramaswamy’s campaign advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton. The video shows Donna Arthur calling her daughter a liar and suggesting she has mental health issues. Acton, Ohio’s former health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, has spoken about experiencing childhood abuse, neglect and homelessness.

Acton accused Ramaswamy of exploiting her painful childhood for political gain, declaring that “decency still matters”. Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended the advertisement despite criticism from Republican leaders, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

In Michigan, Obama campaigned for Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is challenging Republican Mike Rogers, and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson. Defending El-Sayed against criticism of his progressive views and Muslim faith, Obama drew parallels with the false claims about his own birthplace during his presidential campaigns.

“We have seen this movie before. I starred in it,” Obama told supporters in Detroit, referring to the controversy surrounding his birth certificate. He also dismissed criticism of El-Sayed’s past disagreements with him and highlighted the prospect of the candidate serving alongside Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin.

Obama’s campaign appearances come as both parties compete for control of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. The contests will determine all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the Senate, shaping the balance of power during the remainder of Trump’s presidency.