They say there's no such thing as bad publicity.
asserted
They → say → publicity
The furore began when former President Obama, stumping for Democrats in Ohio this week ahead of the midterms, joked about President Trump's White House refurbishments, saying they looked "like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.
asserted
Hussein → begin → Factory
The late Iraqi dictator was known for building lavish palaces, with gold walls, cabinets of gold-plated rifles, a golden throne and of course plenty of depictions of the man himself.
asserted
dictator → know → man
Trump is also well-known for his love of anything gilded and Obama joked he'd been "supergluing gold medallions to the mantel in the Oval Office," while also paving over the Rose Garden and "building a ballroom that's bigger than the White House.
asserted
that → know → House
The beloved U.S. restaurant chain was started in 1978 by David Overton, whose mother reportedly made a fine cheesecake, and now has 218 locations across the country and an annual revenue of $1.03 billion.
uncertain
mother → start → billion
But it's as well known for its kitschy decor as its food, with The Atlantic writer Elaine Godfrey describing it in an article this week "as if ancient Egypt and Tuscany had a baby in Las Vegas."
asserted
Egypt → know → Vegas
Obama first made the "home renovations" remarks at the political rally on Saturday, where he also portrayed the Trump administration as out of touch with ordinary Americans suffering from a cost of living crisis and the economic consequences of the president's war in Iran.
asserted
he → make → Iran
Obama said the Trump administration had resulted in "two years of chaos and cruelty and corruption" and that those at the helm were not "serious people."
asserted
those → say → helm
The administration was quick to respond, with President Trump defending his taste, saying: "I've taken care of the White House, I've fixed it with the finest artisans in the world."
"The White House was in terrible shape.
asserted
House → respond → shape
The White House is now in the best shape it's been since 1792," he told reporters when asked about Obama's quip, adding that Obama was "not a smart guy."
asserted
Obama → tell → quip
The official White House X account posted a photo of the Cheesecake Factory's famously large menu, saying "Since we're talking about The Cheesecake Factory...
asserted
we → post → Factory
Allegations of elitism
Vice President Vance reacted by accusing Obama of being out of touch with ordinary Americans.
asserted
Vance → react → Americans
"Obama, without even trying to be, just can't help himself for being super elitist," he wrote on X.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also sought to capitalize on the backlash, having lunch at a Cheesecake Factory near the White House on Monday.
asserted
Bessent → try → Monday
He ate a French Dip Cheeseburger and told journalists afterwards: "I had a great meal, always have a great meal, and I would just tell the Martha's Vineyard set to give it a try," in an apparent reference to the Obamas who are known to holiday on the exclusive island.
asserted
who → eat → island
On the topic of taste in decor, Bessent, who used to manage a hedge fund, also made an apparent jibe about the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
asserted
who → use → Chicago
"This is the man who built the museum [that] looks like Darth Vader's tomb," he added.
asserted
he → build → tomb
Obama was undeterred, taking up the theme again at a rally in Georgia on Wednesday, and saying that he was surprised that instead of hitting back on his criticisms about policy and corruption, the White House was more upset about the Cheesecake Factory remark.
asserted
House → take → remark
That part didn't bother him," said Obama.
asserted
Obama → bother → him
"They mobilized a whole of government response to that joke.
asserted
They → mobilize → joke
The White House even called the Secretary of the Treasury.
asserted
House → call → Treasury
The person who's supposed to be figuring out how to make your life more affordable," he added.
asserted
he → suppose → ?
"The guy who's supposed to be figuring out how to lower inflation.
asserted
who → suppose → inflation
They told him he should hold a press conference in front of the Cheesecake Factory."
asserted
he → tell → Factory
Obama also stressed he had been a proud patron of the restaurant for many years.
asserted
he → stress → years
Do you think I could have survived their childhood without going to the Cheesecake Factory?"
uncertain
I → think → Factory
Later in the week, restaurants and affordability came up again.
asserted
restaurants → come → week
Trump told supporters at a political rally in Texas that they could spend the $5,000 he's promised every adult citizen if the Republicans keep Congress on dining out at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
uncertain
Republicans → tell → Florida
"The problem is that for $5,000, the most you'll be able to buy is a hamburger and maybe a small dessert," Trump joked.
asserted
Trump → buy → 5,000
"I'm not even sure you could buy that," he said, before rescinding the advice: "No, don't go there.
uncertain
he → buy → advice
The Aporia
