Treasury Secretary Eats at Cheesecake Factory After Obama Criticism

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ate a French Dip Cheeseburger at a Cheesecake Factory location near the White House on Friday. He did so in direct response to comments made by former President Barack Obama during a campaign event in Ohio earlier in the week.

Obama criticized President Donald Trump’s preference for gold interior design. He stated that the White House currently looks as if Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory. Bessent told reporters outside the restaurant that he enjoyed the meal. He said he always has a great meal there and suggested that the Martha's Vineyard set give the chain a try.

The exchange renewed questions about the cost and purpose of the new White House ballroom. The project is estimated to cost more than $600 million. The ballroom is intended to host state dinners for foreign leaders. Some observers argue that the high cost could be better spent elsewhere, or that a casual dining venue might serve the American character more effectively.

Cheesecake Factory restaurants offer more than 250 menu items. This includes dishes such as Chicken and Waffle Skewers, Tex-Mex Eggrolls, and Pickle Fries. The chain’s variety contrasts with the specific, often single-course presentations typical of formal state dinners.

This spring, King Charles III of the United Kingdom attended a state dinner where he was served Dover Sole Meunière. The dish came with Potato Pavé, Spring Ramps, Snow Peas, and Parsley Oil. In 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron attended a dinner that began with a Goat Cheese Gateau. These examples represent the traditional fare served to international guests in the White House.

Bessent’s meal choice highlighted a shift in how the administration engages with media. By selecting a casual restaurant known for its eclectic menu, the Treasury Secretary used a specific food item to counter a political jab. The French Dip Cheeseburger served as a tangible symbol of American dining freedom, a concept Bessent emphasized to the press corps.