Overview

• Sen. Ted Cruz reposted a construction video on X and joked about a 'Death Star' in Chicago, prompting a wave of memes comparing the center to Star Wars icons, the Eye of Sauron, and common trash bins.
• The building’s austere look has drawn criticism since its design was first unveiled about a decade ago, with some observers describing it as influenced by brutalist principles.
• The concrete-and-granite tower rising roughly 225 feet in Jackson Park remains under construction, with reports pointing to a spring 2026 opening.
• The Obama Presidential Center is not a traditional library and will provide access to digital files rather than house physical presidential records.
• Reporting describes the nonprofit as donor-funded with a budget that has grown from an initial estimate near $500 million to roughly $830 million.