Overview

• During an Oval Office meeting, President Trump criticized the Obama Presidential Center, claiming cost overruns and halted construction due to 'woke' hiring practices.
• The Obama Foundation rejected Trump's claims, stating construction is ongoing with union labor and remains scheduled for a spring 2026 opening.
• The center, initially budgeted at $350 million, now has an estimated cost of $830 million, but it is privately funded and uses no taxpayer money.
• The 19.3-acre campus in Chicago's Jackson Park will include a museum, library branch, athletic facilities, gardens, and community spaces aimed at revitalizing the South Side.
• A subcontractor lawsuit unrelated to the Obama Foundation has not impacted the construction timeline, according to foundation officials.