Obama Presidential Center Opens In Chicago On Juneteenth After Dedication With Former Presidents

The Obama Presidential Center opened to the public in Chicago on Juneteenth, with NPR reporting that the public opening came “a day after dignitaries, celebrities and three former presidents attended its dedication.”

“CHICAGO -- Former President Barack Obama, joined by three former presidents, celebrated the opening of his presidential museum in Chicago in an extraordinary event Thursday that brought together politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures”

ABC7 Los Angeles

NPR said former President Barack Obama remained “a very popular figure,” citing a CNN poll showing him with a 57% approval rating among all Americans, while President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden both scored in the 30s.

ABC7 Los Angeles

ABC7 Los Angeles described the opening as a Thursday event where Obama told the crowd, “I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is.”

ABC7 also said President Donald Trump was conspicuous in his physical absence and by not being mentioned by any of the speakers or performers, even as it noted Trump had called the $850 million center a “total disaster” in a social media post in February.

Time Magazine reported that Obama’s remarks at the opening ceremony in Chicago included a reminder that in 1776 “there will be no kingsor lords, no serfs or subjects, but only citizens.”

ABC7 Los Angeles said the ceremony brought together Obama with three former presidents, and it listed performances by Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Eddie Vedder ahead of Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.

ABC7 quoted Obama praising shared civic values, while it also reported that Trump was not invited and was not mentioned by speakers or performers, despite Trump’s February post calling the center a “total disaster.”

CNBC

Michelle Obama spoke at the event, telling her husband, “Eight years in the crucible and not once did you melt in the heat,” and she later warned against being cynical or complacent as “everything feels so upside down.”

Time Magazine described Obama’s speech as filled with “shared values that make democracy possible,” including “a belief in checks and balances in our government, and an accountability that comes with an independent judiciary and a robust free press.”

Time also said Obama acknowledged it was “tempting to give in to cynicism and even despair, to stop trying,” while urging Americans to fight.

CNBC framed the opening in Chicago as a star-studded event that would also be “expected to be the biggest gathering of donors, fundraisers and business leaders aligned with the Democratic Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.”

“CHICAGO — Opening weekend visitors at the Barack Obama Presidential Center called the 44th president's legacy an example of unifying, scandal-free "Black excellence," while they lamented what they view as a dark turn for the U”

Fox News

CNBC quoted John Rogers, a co-founder of Ariel Investments and a long-time Obama supporter, saying, “It’s a celebration of Obama’s historic candidacy and a celebration of the extraordinary work he did on behalf of our country.”

CNBC also reported that Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said the foundation is a registered non- profit and that the facility is officially non-partisan, adding, “We want people from different political ideologies, from different perspectives on issues to come here and have a healthy conversation.”

Fox News Digital, covering opening weekend visitors, quoted Lauren Tillman saying, “We needed something like this,” and it reported the center’s campus opened to the public on Friday during the Juneteenth holiday.

Fox News Digital also quoted Ashley Woods saying, “to memorialize his legacy is just great,” and it described the center as a symbol of hope and renewal, calling it a “light in this present darkness.”