As the November 3 U.S. midterm elections approach, President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama have clashed over the controversy surrounding White House renovations. On October 28, they held rallies in Ohio and Georgia, respectively, to galvanize their supporters.
According to reports from outlets like The Guardian, Obama criticized Trump’s focus on remodeling the White House during a rally in Georgia supporting Democratic candidates. He remarked, "We are fighting wars and inflation is out of control, yet the president is literally engaging in craft activities."
Earlier, during a rally in Ohio on October 24, Obama had mocked the renovations, comparing them to a project by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, saying it looked like he had opened a cheesecake factory. This comment targeted Trump’s attention to the White House’s gold decorations and large banquet hall construction.
In response, Trump has consistently emphasized the necessity of the renovations. At a Republican rally in Chillicothe, Ohio, he expressed his displeasure over Obama’s cheesecake factory remark, defending the renovations by stating, "I paid for it myself. I fixed it, and now it looks more beautiful and is in better condition." He also criticized Obama, saying he does not understand cleanliness or what broken stones and sidewalks are.
Obama took issue with what he described as Trump’s overreaction to his joke, stating, "The entire government was mobilized to respond to a joke. It’s really crazy." He further mocked the idea of holding a press conference in front of a cheesecake factory, referencing Treasury Secretary Scott Vessen's remarks after dining there on October 26, where he said, "They always have great meals here," in response to Obama’s comments.
Obama also launched attacks on Trump’s foreign policy and overall governance. He referenced the Iran nuclear deal he brokered in 2015, suggesting that diplomatic negotiations could effectively limit Iran’s nuclear program, indirectly criticizing Trump’s foreign policy. He accused the Trump administration of being conciliatory toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and betraying the Ukrainian people.
Obama characterized the upcoming midterms as the "last and best chance" to check Trump’s power, urging voters to elect serious Democratic candidates who would not blindly follow Trump’s agenda. The rally featured Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta.
While Obama has generally refrained from public political activities, he has ramped up his support for Democratic candidates in recent weeks, visiting Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia to rally support against Trump’s handling of inflation, foreign policy, and allegations of self-interest.
In contrast, the Republican Party is focusing on maintaining its existing support base as the election nears. Trump visited Ohio, a traditional Republican stronghold, for the third time this month. He had previously campaigned in Mississippi on October 26 and Texas on October 27, with plans to continue rallies in South Carolina, Florida, Kansas, and Iowa.
Polls indicate that while Democrats may have a chance to regain control of the House, the Senate races remain competitive. A recent poll by The New York Times and Siena College, released on October 28, shows that Senate races in traditionally Republican areas are tighter than expected. In South Carolina, Republican candidate Lindsey Graham and Democratic candidate Annie Andrews are tied at 48% support, with less than a 1-point gap. In Florida, Republican Ashley Moody leads Democrat Angie Nixon by 6 percentage points, a relatively small margin considering the Republican victory by double digits in the last presidential election.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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