Obama mocks Trump over Cheesecake Factory joke at Georgia rally

Trump and White House attack Obama over restaurant comparison

The White House and Donald Trump responded to Obama's previous comparison of White House renovations to a scenario where "Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory". Trump labelled Obama a "lousy president" for the remark, while the White House characterised him as elitist.

Trump justified the White House renovations by citing "cracked and broken stone," "defective joints," "paint in disrepair," "dirt everywhere," and "stone in disrepair". Obama claimed that Trump was "very annoyed" by the joke and that the White House contacted the Treasury Secretary in response.

Regarding the Republican focus on the joke rather than the economy, Obama remarked, "This is what I mean when I say these are not serious people".

Cheesecake Factory stock surges 100% amid political debate

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited a Cheesecake Factory on Monday and suggested the "Martha's Vineyard set" try the restaurant.

The Cheesecake Factory reported a third-quarter earnings beat and a stock price increase of over 100% for the year as of market close Wednesday.

Ossoff and Bottoms rally supporters in Clayton County

The Guardian reported that 3,500 to 4,000 people attended the Wednesday rally at the Discovery Center of Clayton County.

During the event, Senator Jon Ossoff told the crowd: "next year you’ll be raising your hand to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth," while the audience chanted "Lock him up!".

Gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms described herself and her opponent Rick Jackson as "two out-of-touch billionaires who want to keep getting rich on the backs of taxpayers".

Decision Desk HQ projects an 89% chance for Ossoff to defeat Mike Collins, while Bottoms remains statistically tied in polls with Jackson.

Warnock warns of spiritual wickedness in high places

Senator Raphael Warnock addressed the crowd by stating that "only a broken nation could manage to elect Donald Trump twice".

He further warned of "spiritual wickedness in high places" regarding the current political climate.

Georgia midterm campaign trail heats up

The campaign in Georgia has seen a series of visits and exchanges. On 24 October 2026, Pete Buttigieg campaigned in Atlanta to support Senator Jon Ossoff. On the same day, Ossoff drew public attention to Natalie Harp, an aide to Donald Trump.

The rivalry between Trump and Ossoff has been a long-standing feature of the political environment, as Trump helped make Ossoff a national figure. On 23 October 2026, The New York Times reported that Ossoff managed to break through the "white noise" created by Donald Trump.

On 25 October 2026, Trump announced that Audi would build a new automobile factory in the state. The following day, Ossoff criticised Trump regarding gas and grocery prices at an Atlanta rally. Ossoff also stated on 26 October 2026 that Trump visited Georgia to remind the state's residents of his failures.

Kamala Harris was scheduled to campaign for Ossoff in Macon, Georgia, following a recent campaign rally held by Trump in the central part of the state, as reported on 26 October 2026. On 28 October 2026, Trump held a campaign event in Ohio while Barack Obama held one in Georgia, both making final appeals to voters in pivotal states ahead of the midterms.