Obama says The Cheesecake Factory was his 'jam' — and that Trump was less offended by being compared to Saddam Hussein

What happened: Barack Obama defended his record of frequenting The Cheesecake Factory while campaigning for Democrats in Atlanta, after his joke comparing the White House to the restaurant drew a backlash from Republicans and the White House. Key numbers: The Cheesecake Factory reported a third-quarter earnings Why it matters: Obama said the White House mobilized a response to his joke but not to inflation, pointing to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's visit to the restaurant. The company has not publicly addressed the controversy and executives did not mention it on the earnings call. Coverage: 4 outlets in 24h

Barack Obama defended his record of frequenting The Cheesecake Factory while campaigning for Democrats in Atlanta, after his joke comparing the White House to the restaurant drew a backlash from Republicans and the White House.

Obama said the White House mobilized a response to his joke but not to inflation, pointing to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's visit to the restaurant. The company has not publicly addressed the controversy and executives did not mention it on the earnings call.