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5mo ago

Trump Criticizes Obama Presidential Center Over Cost and 'Woke' Hiring Claims

The Obama Foundation refutes President Trump's remarks, emphasizing ongoing progress and a 2026 opening for the Chicago project.

Former President Barack Obama watches before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Former President Barack Obama points out features of the proposed Obama Presidential Center, which is scheduled to be built in nearby Jackson Park, during a gathering at the South Shore Cultural Center on May 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
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Overview

  • President Trump labeled the Obama Presidential Center a 'disaster,' citing cost overruns and alleged 'woke' hiring practices during a May 6 Oval Office meeting.
  • The Obama Foundation rebutted Trump's claims, stating construction is progressing on schedule with a planned public opening in spring 2026.
  • The center's cost has risen from $350 million to $830 million, but the foundation attributes issues to a subcontractor dispute unrelated to diversity hiring practices.
  • Construction updates confirm significant progress, including exterior cladding, granite finishing, and interior work, with a 45,000-square-foot arena set to open in late 2025.
  • The privately funded 19.3-acre campus aims to serve as a community hub and economic catalyst, projected to generate $3 billion in local economic activity.