The long-delayed and over-budget Obama Presidential Center opened Thursday in Chicago with a stolen land acknowledgment.
“We’d also like to take a moment to recognize the original inhabitants of the land upon which we are gathered today,” Valerie Jarrett, chief executive officer of the Obama Foundation, said. “We honor the Anishinaabe, the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi nations.”
The Obama center opening opens with a land acknowledgement:
“We honor the Anishinaabe, the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Nations.” pic.twitter.com/aR9oM8Ee2t
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 18, 2026
A who’s who of liberal donors and political elites attended the opening ceremony, including former Presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush; their First Ladies; and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Video circulating on social media showed some of the attendees dancing to music, while former First Lady Laura Bush remained seated.
NEW: Former presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, George Bush and Bill Clinton celebrate the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/x8Dp541DGp
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 18, 2026
At the opening ceremony, Michelle Obama described illegal immigrants as “the beating heart of this country.”
“They are us, and we are them, and to ignore the simple truth, to refuse to respect the contributions and experiences of people who aren’t exactly like us. It puts us all at risk,” she said.
The former president also used the opportunity to push a political message.
“I am not immune to anger or doubt. But I do know this when we lose faith in each other, when we stop believing that voting matters … we open the door to the most ruthless or the most careless, or the most fearful among us who see some groups and some people as more equal than others and see government as nothing more than a way to divvy up the spoils and punish enemies, and keep those who are different in their place,” Obama said.
“I do not believe that is the story of America that prevails in the end,” he added.
The Obama Presidential Center, which opens to the general public on Juneteenth, is coming in millions of dollars over budget and several years late. The center, funded by private donors, reportedly racked up an $830 million price tag, according to the Associated Press.
“This is not a monument to the Obamas,” said Valerie Jarrett. “This is a tribute to all those who made their journey possible.”
Visitors can expect to pay more for admission than at any other presidential library, The Daily Wire previously reported.
A recent report from the Wall Street Journal found that the $30 adult ticket price for entry into the Obama museum is more than at any other presidential museum and 59% higher than the average price for all presidents since John F. Kennedy.
Illinois residents will also be required to “show proof of residency at the Museum with a valid photo ID, Illinois driver’s license, state ID, or city-issued ID.” That requirement has been mocked by critics who noted that the Democratic Party has aggressively opposed ID requirements for voting.
President Trump, the only living president not in attendance, has previously mocked Obama’s museum from afar.
“It’s not too pretty,” said Trump. “He wanted only women and DEI to build it. Well? That’s what they got.”
“But they’re hundreds of millions of dollars over budget, and I think it stopped. I’m reading these terrible stories, but that’s the way our country was run under President Obama, too,” the president added.
President Trump on Barack Obama’s presidential library: “He needs help… It’s not too pretty… They’re stuck and he wanted only women and DEI to build it. Well, that’s what he got… They’re hundreds of millions over budget..s that’s the way our country was run under President… pic.twitter.com/TmRmPpSE9c
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) October 21, 2025
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