US President defends White House restoration work as political tensions rise ahead of November 3 midterm elections
Washington, October 2026 : US President Donald Trump has hit back at former President Barack Obama for reportedly comparing the renovated White House to the Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain, calling his predecessor “not smart at all” and a “lousy president”.
Speaking to reporters on Monday before boarding Air Force One, Trump defended the renovation work at the White House, arguing that the historic building had been in poor condition and required extensive repairs.
Asked about Obama’s reported comparison between the White House decorations and the restaurant chain, Trump rejected the criticism and praised the craftsmanship involved in the restoration.
“No. You know, I’ve taken care of the White House. I fixed it with the finest artisans in the world. We have reskinned it. It was in horrible shape,” Trump said.
He claimed that several decorative features of the building had been missing, damaged or neglected for years. Trump also pointed to problems with the exterior plaster and paintwork, saying the structure had required significant attention.
“The White House is now in the best shape it’s been since 1792, when it was built,” he said.
Trump Attacks Obama Over White House Renovations
Trump subsequently turned his criticism towards Obama, suggesting that the former president had failed to notice the building’s deteriorating condition during his time in office.
“Guys like Obama, they would pass the front door. They’d see the broken masonry,” Trump said, adding that Obama would not notice the dirt and damage.
The President then questioned Obama’s intelligence and criticised his record in office.
“We have to explain that to Obama because he doesn’t understand it, because he’s not a smart guy. Let me tell you, in my opinion, he’s not smart at all,” Trump said.
He added that Obama’s handling of the country demonstrated, in his view, poor leadership.
“Because the way he ran the country, only a stupid person would run the country like that,” Trump said.
The remarks mark another public exchange between Trump and Obama, who have frequently represented opposing political positions in American public life.
President Praises Restoration Team and Craftsmanship
Defending the White House renovation, Trump said the work had been carried out by talented professionals, including personnel from the Department of the Interior, at what he described as a relatively low cost.
He explained that the restoration involved reproducing architectural details to maintain consistency across the building’s exterior.
“So we took molds of the one side and we put it on the other side, and we did a beautiful job,” Trump said.
“It’s not about money, it’s about seeing,” he added, emphasising the importance of recognising the building’s maintenance needs.
Trump concluded his response by directly linking Obama’s reported Cheesecake Factory comparison to his assessment of the former president’s leadership.
“And for you to say it’s a Cheesecake Factory, that just shows why you were a lousy president,” Trump said.
White House Renovations Draw Political Criticism
The exchange comes as Obama campaigns for Democratic candidates ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections. The contests will determine control of Congress and influence the legislative priorities of the Trump administration.
Trump’s White House renovation work has also drawn criticism from Democrats and preservation groups over costs and transparency.
At the same appearance, Trump announced a $1 million reward for information about voter fraud that leads to an arrest and conviction. He also commented on elections in Brazil and Israel.
Obama’s office did not immediately respond to Trump’s remarks, according to the supplied account.
The latest confrontation highlights the continuing political rivalry between the two presidents as Republicans and Democrats intensify their campaigns ahead of the midterm elections.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
