Obama center opens after years-long saga as locals warn ‘monstrosity’ could price them out

The Obama Presidential Center opened Friday after controversies including costs ballooning to $850 million, unpaid contractors, and displacement concerns.

US: Stars and ex-leaders on hand to open Obama Center

The Barack Obama Presidential Center was opened in Chicago on Thursday in an event that was a celebration of democracy and an optimistic call to embrace "our shared responsibilities as citizens."

Obama's presidential centre opens in Chicago with call to defend democracy

The Obama museum and civic center has been inaugurated in Chicago. It tells the story and cements the legacy of the former president, championning the principles of democracy. All former US presidents attended the event, as well as several celebrities. The nearly 20-acre (8-hectare) campus includes a museum featuring a life-sized replica of the Oval Office, a garden designed by former first lady Michelle Obama complete with lettuce and strawberry plants, a professional-grade basketball court,...

By FRANCE24

Oprah, Tom Hanks, and 4 presidents: See who attended the opening of Barack Obama's $850 million presidential center

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center on June 18, 2026. Scott Olson/Getty Images Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg attended the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Bono, and Jennifer Hudson performed. The $850 million campus on Chicago's South Side commemorates Obama's presidency. The grand opening of former President Barack Obama's presidential center in Chi...

Obama knocks Founders at presidential center debut before America’s 250th: ‘Fell terribly short’

‘She did me wrong’: Barack Obama gets emotional at Presidential Centre launch in US

Obama celebrates opening of his presidential museum with call to citizenship

The 44th U.S. president, who left office nearly a decade ago, led a crowd of thousands on Thursday attending a music-filled grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center, a lakefront Chicago campus of granite, nature and art honoring and archiving his administration. He was joined by his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, and a […]

Years After Leaving Office, Obama Remains More Popular Than Trump, Biden

A new poll finds Barack Obama enjoying significantly higher favorability ratings than Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Watch U2’s Bono and The Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder and more perform at Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony

Christina Aguilera, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend were also on the star-studded line-up The post Watch U2’s Bono and The Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder and more perform at Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony appeared first on NME.

By Laura Molloy