US President Donald Trump on Monday hit back at former president Barack Obama over his remark comparing the White House’s gold-heavy renovations to a Cheesecake Factory opened by former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, calling Obama “not a smart guy” and a “lousy president”. Trump defended his renovation projects, saying the White House was a symbol of America that needed to be maintained properly.

“We have to explain that to Obama, because he doesn’t understand it, because he’s not a smart guy. Let me tell you, in my opinion, he’s not smart at all,” Trump said when asked about Obama’s remarks. “Because the way he ran the country, only a stupid person would run the country like that.”

“Guys like Obama don’t see it. You don’t see dirt, he doesn’t see filth. He doesn’t see broken ornaments on a building,” Trump added.…