Thursday's opening ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center drew criticism from conservative commentators who mocked a land acknowledgment ritual performed at the event, even as Democrats highlighted its cultural importance.
The ceremony featured Valerie Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Obama and current CEO of the Obama Foundation, recognizing the original inhabitants of the land where Jackson Park sits on Chicago's South Side. "We'd also like to take a moment to recognize the original inhabitants of the land upon which we are gathered today," Jarrett said. "We honor the Anishinaabe, the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, the Odawa and the Potawatomi nations."
Among those in attendance were former Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, David Letterman, John Legend, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates argue that land acknowledgments serve an educational purpose, raising awareness about Native American history and displacement. Supporters note that such ceremonies have become standard at universities, cultural institutions and public events across the country as part of broader efforts to recognize Indigenous contributions and historical injustices.
Democratic strategists suggest the criticism reflects broader cultural battles over how American history should be taught and acknowledged. They argue that conservatives targeting a routine ceremony distract from substantive questions about the center's impact on Chicago's South Side.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators called the land acknowledgment performative, arguing it lacks practical follow-through. "Land acknowledgements are funny because the real message is 'I want to say I care, but I don't really care or I wouldn't have built this on land which I just said is yours,'" said Beth Anne Mumford of Americans for Prosperity.
Conservative commentator Steve Deace asked sarcastically: "Wouldn't they prefer you just give them their land back?" Stephen Miller posted: "So you just went ahead and built on that land anyway, huh." Townhall senior strategist Siraj Hashmi quipped about acknowledging the "current tribe leader of the South Side of Chicago," referring to rapper Chief Keef.
What the Numbers Show
The Obama Presidential Center cost nearly $1 billion to build, according to project estimates. One subcontractor told Fox News Digital his firm is owed $4 million for work completed on the center. The project was announced in 2015, with Jackson Park chosen as the site in 2016. Groundbreaking occurred in 2021 after years of bureaucratic delays, environmental reviews and lawsuits due to its location in a historic preservation zone.
The center's opening was delayed from March 2025 to this month. An explicit goal stated during planning was uplifting minority-owned contracting businesses through hiring on the project.
The Bottom Line
Thursday's ceremony marked the official beginning of the center's opening weekend, with the facility set to open to the public Friday. Beyond the cultural debate over land acknowledgments, the center faces ongoing scrutiny over its nearly $1 billion price tag and allegations that some subcontractors have not been fully paid for their work on the project.