Ballroom Costs: Bessent Dines at Chain After Obama Remark

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ate a French Dip Cheeseburger at a Cheesecake Factory location near the White House this week. He took the meal after former President Barack Obama made a pointed comparison about the residence's aesthetic during a campaign stop in Ohio. Bessent told reporters gathering outside the restaurant that he enjoyed the food. He added that he would recommend the chain to the Martha's Vineyard set. The visit followed a specific comment from Obama, who said, "He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory." Obama directed the remark at President Donald Trump's known preference for gold decor.

The exchange brought renewed attention to the cost of a new White House ballroom. The project is estimated to cost at least $600 million. Critics and supporters have debated the necessity of such an expensive structure for hosting state dinners. The Cheesecake Factory chain offers a different model for large-scale dining. Their menus contain more than 250 items. This variety contrasts with the curated, often singular menus served at official state dinners.

State dinners at the White House have recently featured specific high-end dishes. This spring, King Charles III of Britain attended a state dinner. His plate included Dover Sole Meuniere. The dish was served with potato pave, spring ramps, snow peas, and parsley oil. In 2018, President Emmanuel Macron of France attended a state dinner that began with a Goat Cheese Gateau. These meals are designed to represent American hospitality through specific culinary choices.

The Cheesecake Factory menu lists items such as Chicken and Waffle Skewers, Tex-Mex Eggrolls, and Pickle Fries. It also features Buffalo Blasts, a deep-fried wrapper stuffed with chicken, cheese, and hot sauce. The menu includes Asian Chicken Nachos served with wonton chips and peanut sauce. Another item is Fried Macaroni and Cheese balls. These options represent the casual dining experience that Bessent chose over the traditional state dinner format.

The timing of Bessent's visit coincided with the ongoing construction of the new ballroom. The $600 million project aims to provide a dedicated space for major diplomatic events. By dining at a commercial restaurant near the executive mansion, Bessent placed himself in the same chain that Obama used in his critique. Bessent's statement to reporters emphasized the quality of the meal without directly addressing the cost of the ballroom. He noted that one always has a great meal at the establishment.

The Cheesecake Factory chain operates numerous locations across the country. The specific restaurant Bessent visited is situated in the vicinity of the White House. The menu items he and other potential diners could choose include a wide range of proteins and sides. The debate over the ballroom's cost continues as the construction progresses. Obama's comment at the Ohio campaign event set the stage for Bessent's public lunch. Bessent's choice of meal served as a direct response to the former president's specific imagery.