Obama: Cheesecake Factory 'my jam'

Former US President Barack Obama has defended his comments about The Cheesecake Factory, saying it was his favorite restaurant as a dad. Obama made the comments while campaigning for Democrats in Atlanta on Wednesday, where he was joined by Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff.

Obama said he frequented The Cheesecake Factory as a dad, and mocked the GOP backlash to his joke. The former president had previously compared President Donald Trump's White House renovations to Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory, sparking a days-long backlash from Republicans and the White House.

The White House and Republicans framed Obama as an elitist out of touch with average Americans after his Cheesecake Factory joke. However, Obama countered by saying he's spent plenty of time at the restaurant chain.

Obama also revealed that President Donald Trump was less offended by being compared to Saddam Hussein than expected. 'The president wasn't even mad about the Saddam Hussein comparison,' Obama said. This is despite Trump calling Obama a 'lousy president' for making the comparison.

In a separate incident, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ate at a Cheesecake Factory on Monday and suggested the 'Martha's Vineyard set' try it.

## Why it matters The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between Obama and Trump, with both sides frequently trading barbs. The comments also reflect the broader cultural and political divide in the US, with some viewing The Cheesecake Factory as a symbol of middle-class America, while others see it as a representation of elitism.

The controversy surrounding Obama's comments has sparked a wider debate about the role of restaurants and food in American politics. As the US heads into a new election cycle, it remains to be seen how these issues will play out on the campaign trail.