Barack Obama Mocks Donald Trump's White House Renovations
Barack Obama criticized Donald Trump's White House decor and foreign policy during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio.
Former President Barack Obama mocked President Donald Trump's White House renovations during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 24, 2026. While campaigning for Democratic candidates Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown, Obama compared the residence's gold décor and updates to "Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory" and suggested Trump "should be on HGTV."
Obama also criticized Trump's immigration policies and his handling of the conflict with Iran, stating that Trump decided to start an "unnecessary war that nobody asked for and nobody voted for."
The renovations under Trump include a revamped Rose Garden, a new South Lawn helipad, and a proposed ballroom for secure official events. Cost estimates for the ballroom vary, with administration figures at $200 million and other reports suggesting costs could reach $600 million.
In response, GOP figures and critics targeted the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. They mocked the center's design as the "Obamalisk" or "Death Star" and highlighted its costs, which have risen from $850 million to over $1 billion.
