At the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center this June, Donald Trump will not be on the guest list. Former President George W. Bush, however, will be walking the red carpet.
The Obama Foundation announced the celebrations will run from June 18 through June 21. On June 18, there will be a dedication ceremony on the John Lewis Plaza with live performances and speeches from some of today’s most prominent voices. The Center opens to the public on June 19, with community events and celebrations continuing over the following two days.
President Obama shared the news on social media in a video message, reflecting on the deeper meaning of the Center.
“It is easy to look around right now and feel like the challenges we face are simply too big. But hope is not about ignoring the hard stuff. It is that thing inside us that insists something better awaits if we are willing to work for it. Here on the South Side of Chicago, hope is getting a permanent home,” he said.
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Obama stressed that the Center is about action, not nostalgia. “This is not a monument to the past. It is a living destination for people who refuse to accept the status quo. If you feel that way, this is your invitation to join us.”
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Michelle Obama also reflected on the significance of the location. “Chicago will always be home. It’s where Craig and I grew up. Where Barack and I met and fell in love. Where we taught our girls to tie their shoes and reach for the stars. Where the ride of a lifetime took root – and took off. So when it came time to decide where we’d build the Obama Presidential Center, Barack and I knew exactly where it had to be: Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago,” she said.
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The Center is located in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago. It features a museum, a new library branch, and a sprawling campus dedicated to community and public service.
The exterior of the Museum building bears the words “You Are America,” taken from Obama’s speech on the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches. The phrase reflects the Center’s mission: to inspire and empower visitors to make a difference.
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, confirmed that Trump will not be invited to the grand opening, while George W. Bush will attend. The Center celebrates the legacy of the Obama presidency while also serving as a hub for fresh ideas, community engagement, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
