Trump Gaggles at Joint Base Andrews: Calls Brazil Vote 'Another Rigged Election,' Fires Back at Obama's 'Cheesecake Factory' Jab
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland — President Donald Trump took questions from reporters at Joint Base Andrews on October 26 before boarding his flight to a campaign rally in Corinth, Mississippi, responding to the result of Brazil's presidential runoff and to former President Barack Obama's criticism of his White House renovations. The White House's official YouTube channel published the full video of the gaggle the same day.
On Brazil, Trump suggested, without providing evidence, that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's reelection was "rigged." "Elections have to be indisputable and it looked very bad to me," Trump told reporters. "I thought it had a very bad look, the way it was tabulated." He added: "It looked like another rigged election, frankly."
According to the Associated Press, Lula won Sunday's runoff with 51.79% of the vote, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro to win a fourth, non-consecutive term; he is expected to take office on January 5, 2027. Bolsonaro said Sunday he planned to request an annulment of the election. Kassio Nunes, president of Brazil's electoral authority, recognized Lula's victory on Sunday, as did leaders across the region.
Trump was also asked about Obama's comments on the White House renovations. Campaigning in Cleveland on October 24 for Democratic Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, Obama said Trump "should be on HGTV" and that Trump's changes have the "White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."
Trump fired back: "For you to say it's a Cheesecake Factory — that just shows why you were a lousy president." He continued: "He's not smart at all because of the way he ran the country. Only a stupid person would run the country like that." Trump also claimed Obama allowed the White House to fall into disrepair during his eight years in office: "He doesn't notice dirt and filth that hadn't been cleaned, where the walls hadn't been cleaned for years. He doesn't notice areas that haven't been painted."
Defending the renovation work, Trump said: "I've taken care of the White House. I fixed it with the finest artisans in the world. We have to explain to Obama that the White House is a symbol of America, and it has to be maintained properly." The work has included tearing down the East Wing to build a ballroom, repairing and repainting the North Portico columns, paving over the Rose Garden, and adding gold fixtures in the Oval Office.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also responded to Obama's comments on Monday by visiting a Cheesecake Factory in Washington, DC for lunch, telling reporters: "I had a great meal. I always have a great meal."
Trump was traveling to the Crossroads Arena in Corinth, Mississippi, to campaign for Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, who faces Democratic challenger Scott Colom in the November 3 midterm elections.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：特朗普总统10月26日在 Joint Base Andrews 向记者讲话（视频截图）。白宫官方 YouTube 视频画面，公共领域。 / President Trump speaks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on October 26 (video still). Official White House YouTube video frame, public domain.
