Bessent Dines at Cheesecake Factory After Obama Remarks
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited a local restaurant to respond to a critique of White House aesthetics made by former President Obama.
By Ethan Cooper ·
Former President Barack Obama compared the White House interior to a Cheesecake Factory on Thursday during a campaign stop in Ohio. He told a crowd that the current administration’s preference for gold decor makes the executive mansion look as if Saddam Hussein had opened a restaurant chain. The comment sparked an immediate response from the current administration.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took direct action in reply. He ate a French Dip Cheeseburger at a Cheesecake Factory located near the White House. Bessent addressed reporters after the meal to announce his choice. He stated, "I had a great meal, always have a great meal." He added that he would encourage the Martha’s Vineyard set to try the menu.
The exchange highlights a specific debate over the cost and purpose of White House hosting. The administration plans to spend at least $600 million to construct a new ballroom. This structure is intended to host state dinners for foreign dignitaries. The current menu for these events often includes items like Dover Sole Meuniere with Potato Pave or Goat Cheese Gateau.
Cheesecake Factory locations offer a different dining experience. Menus at the chain list more than 250 items. Options include Chicken and Waffle Skewers, Tex-Mex Eggrolls, and Pickle Fries. The restaurant also serves Buffalo Blasts, which are deep-fried chicken and cheese wrappers with hot sauce. These items contrast with the traditional fare served to visiting heads of state.
King Charles III attended a state dinner this spring. The menu featured Dover Sole Meuniere served with Spring Ramps, Snow Peas, and Parsley Oil. In 2018, President Emmanuel Macron received a state dinner that began with a Goat Cheese Gateau. The Cheesecake Factory menu includes Asian Chicken Nachos with wonton chips and peanut sauce. It also offers Fried Macaroni and Cheese balls.
The restaurant chain has now entered the national political conversation. The specific mention of gold decor by Obama and the subsequent lunch by Bessent drew attention to the venue. The chain operates in Tarrant County and across the country. The exchange occurred just one day before the date of this report.
