Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hit back at former President Barack Obama’s criticisms of the White House renovations on Monday, dismissing the design of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago as looking like “Darth Vader’s tomb.”
Obama, while campaigning for Democratic candidates at a rally in Ohio over the weekend, had criticized President Donald Trump’s focus on White House renovations, suggesting he “seems very focused on home renovations” and “should be on HGTV.” Obama famously quipped that the White House looked like “Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory,” referencing the gold décor and various projects underway, including a new ballroom, Rose Garden modifications, and a new helipad.
In response, Bessent visited a Cheesecake Factory in Washington, D.C., for lunch, directly referencing the restaurant chain mentioned by the former president. During an interview with FOX Business, Bessent ordered his usual French dip cheeseburger and used the opportunity to criticize the design of Obama’s presidential library.
“This is the man who built the museum and it looks like Darth Vader’s tomb,” Bessent said. “I had a great meal. I always have a great meal, and I would tell the Martha’s Vineyard set to give it a try.”
The Treasury secretary’s critique of the Obama Presidential Center comes as the building’s 225-foot, granite-clad tower has faced significant public ridicule, earning the nickname “Obamalisk” due to its distinctive, monolithic appearance.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Operation Economic Outcast on Monday, an effort by the Trump administration to pressure nations into severing economic ties with Iran. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The Obama Presidential Center has also come under fire for its ballooning budget. According to previous reports, the projected cost of the center has surged from an initial estimate of $350 million to more than $1 billion. Additionally, taxpayers are facing hundreds of millions of dollars in associated public infrastructure costs separate from the center’s construction budget.
Former President Barack Obama said that Trump’s White House renovations look like “Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.” (Reuters/Vincent Alban)
Bessent, a staunch defender of the Trump administration’s agenda, has frequently engaged in rhetorical battles with critics. Recently, he responded to a letter from Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., telling her that rather than study introductory economics, she has “continued your letter-writing crusade and participation in tabloid fodder about the Treasury Department.”
The Obama Presidential Center has drawn criticism over its appearance. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)