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Obama mocks White House renovations; Peru toddler burial found
Obama made the jab at an Ohio rally for Democrats Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown; he also blamed Trump's Iran handling for higher energy costs.
On air: Hank Ledger and Kenji Moonfield on BBN This MorningPublished
From the show
At a glance
- First reported by News24: “‘Weird swipe’: Obama strangely criticises Trump’s White House renovations”, with reporting from Live Science, Fox News, Newsweek and Yahoo News.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 7:30 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Hank Ledger and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: Obama, White House, Trump.
- BBN covered this story before: Trump considering moving White House press corps (October 26).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- News24‘Weird swipe’: Obama strangely criticises Trump’s White House renovations
- Live ScienceRare burial of elite toddler from pre-Inca culture discovered in Peru
- Fox NewsObama compares Trump's White House renovations to 'Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory' at Ohio rally October 25, 2026 · facts used on air
- NewsweekObama Mocks Trump White House Renovations, 'Cheesecake Factory' Joke Sparks Backlash - Newsweek October 25, 2026 · facts used on air
- Yahoo NewsObama compares Trump's White House renovations to 'Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory' at Ohio rally October 25, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBarack Obama took aim at the White House renovations at a rally in Cleveland on Saturday, saying the place now looks like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHe also said Trump should be on HGTV, and that the Rose Garden got paved over.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe ballroom, he says, is bigger than the White House itself.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe White House has said the ballroom is paid for by private donors.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIn other news, archaeologists in Peru found the fifteen-hundred-year-old burial of an elite Moche toddler, with thirty-two ceramic objects beside the child.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAnd X now bundles Premium, Grok and Cursor into plans up to two hundred dollars a month. Elon suggested handing Grok a photo of your credit card to shop for you.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorI'd keep the card and let the robot window-shop.
The story so far
- Obama jokes about Hegseth's hair and testosterone in Ohio · The Hill
- Trump hits Obama; squid butts; Tatum and Brown · The Washington Times
- Trump booty remark, El Clásico, Nicki Minaj, Elvis lawsuit · New York Post
- Vučić concedes in Serbia; Trump and Obama trade jabs · The Washington Times
- Midterm speeches, Chiefs stumble, spice painting record · Hindustan Times
- Trump considering moving White House press corps · The Hill
- Obama mocks White House renovations; Peru toddler burial found (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 26, 2026 · the World archive · all months
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