Former President Barack Obama will be celebrated by some of music's biggest names at Thursday's dedication ceremony for his presidential museum in Chicago. Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera and Bono are among the performers scheduled to appear at the invite-only event, which will be livestreamed and kicks off a weekend of events leading up to the center's public opening on Juneteenth.
The Obama Presidential Center spans nearly 20 acres on Chicago's South Side in Jackson Park. The campus includes a museum covering both the political and personal life of the nation's first Black president, along with a branch of the Chicago Public Library, athletic facilities, basketball courts and public green spaces. Located near where Obama lived and began his political career, the center is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors annually.
What the Right Is Saying
President Donald Trump is not among the announced guests for Thursday's ceremony. In February, Trump called the $850 million Obama Presidential Center a 'total disaster' in a social media post.
Some conservatives have questioned the cost of the project, particularly given ongoing debates about federal spending and national debt. The center's price tag has drawn criticism from those who argue such resources could be directed elsewhere.
Others have noted that Trump's decision not to attend continues a pattern of tension between the current and former president, contrasting with the attendance of both Bush and Clinton at Thursday's celebration.
What the Left Is Saying
Valerie Jarrett, chief executive of the Obama Foundation and former top Obama adviser, described the celebration as reflecting 'a spirit of inspiration and joy.' She said the performers are 'sharing their talent with us' and expressed hope that the center would 'inspire people everywhere to believe in their power to bring change home.'
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are among the announced guests at Thursday's ceremony, where Barack and Michelle Obama are expected to deliver remarks. Other celebrities scheduled to appear include Common, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Vedder, John Legend, Marc Anthony and The Roots.
Supporters have noted that general admission tickets for the center sold out through the end of October before the public opening, indicating strong public interest in learning about Obama's presidency and legacy. The nearly 20-acre campus sits adjacent to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and near the University of Chicago.
What the Numbers Show
The Obama Presidential Center cost $850 million to build. The campus covers nearly 20 acres in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side. General admission tickets sold out through October before the center opened to the public. Officials expect more than 1 million visitors annually. The museum is located adjacent to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, near the University of Chicago.
The Bottom Line
The opening of the Obama Presidential Center marks a significant moment in how former President Obama's legacy will be preserved and presented to the public. Thursday's celebrity-filled ceremony underscores the cultural significance its supporters attach to the nation's first Black presidential museum. The absence of President Trump highlights ongoing political tensions, while the attendance of Bush and Clinton reflects traditional norms around honoring past presidents. What happens next: The center opens to the general public on Juneteenth, with officials watching closely to see if visitor numbers meet expectations.