Trump and Obama Trade Barbs Over Presidential Center

The ongoing rivalry between Donald Trump and Barack Obama continues, with the latest volley fired by Trump regarding the construction of Obama’s presidential library and museum in Chicago. Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on May 6th, took aim at the project’s delays and budget overruns.

Trump, known for his real estate background, seized the opportunity to comment on the challenges of large construction projects. He veered into a critique of the Obama Presidential Center, stating, "President Obama – and if he wanted help, I’d give him help because I’m a really good builder and I build on time, on budget – he’s building his library in Chicago, and it’s a disaster."

The Obama Presidential Center, a 19-acre undertaking, is intended as a tribute to the former president, located on Chicago’s South Side. According to the Obama Foundation, the project is about halfway complete. However, it has faced significant setbacks, including delays and a considerable budget increase.

Originally estimated to cost $350 million, the project’s budget has now ballooned to $830 million. The initial opening date was set for 2021, but officials announced last year that the center would not open to the public until 2026.

Despite the challenges, supporters emphasize the center’s potential benefits. The privately funded project is envisioned as a catalyst for revitalizing a historic public park in Chicago’s South Side, in collaboration with various community partners. It is projected to generate $3 billion in economic activity.

Plans for the center include a forum for local and international gatherings, an athletic center for the community, a walking trail, a great lawn, a sledding hill, and a playground. The Obama Foundation anticipates that the center will be a significant driver of economic development.

Emily Bittner, a spokeswoman for the Obama Foundation, issued a statement emphasizing the project’s positive impact. "Everyone who sees the Obama Presidential Center is blown away by its beauty, scale and the way it will be an economic engine for Chicago and a beacon of hope for the world," she said. "We look forward to welcoming all visitors to the 19.3-acre campus next spring, to experience a presidential center that not only honors the Obamas’ legacy but also lifts up the next generation of leaders."

Trump’s criticisms extended beyond the project’s budget and timeline. He alleged that the Obama library’s problems stemmed from its emphasis on hiring local and minority-owned companies. "And (Obama) said something to the effect of, ‘I only want DEI. I only want woke.’ He wants woke people to build it," Trump claimed. "Well, he’s got woke people."

The Obama Foundation has stated that approximately 35% of subcontractors would be minority-owned businesses, 15% would be women-owned, and 9% would be from the greater Chicago area.

Earlier this year, the project faced a reputational setback when a Black-owned subcontracting company filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against another contractor. However, the Obama Foundation is not a party to the dispute, and officials have stated that it would not impact the center’s opening timeline, as the lawsuit was filed after the work in question had been completed.

Despite their political differences, Trump and Obama were cordial at the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter earlier this year, even sharing a laugh. However, Obama has been critical of Trump’s use of executive authority during his second term.

In April, Obama encouraged universities and law firms to resist the Trump administration’s actions and defend democratic values. He criticized the Trump administration for canceling federal contracts to firms connected to political rivals and blocking funding for colleges and universities that refused to ban masks and eliminate diversity programs.

"That kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans," Obama said, challenging the audience at Hamilton College in New York: "Imagine if I had done any of this."

Obama also criticized Trump for retaliating against the Associated Press by removing them from official events after the news agency refused to adopt Trump’s preferred renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." "Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps," Obama said in April. "You’re laughing, but this is what’s happening."

In the past, Trump has spread the false claim that Obama was not born in the United States. More recently, Trump has occasionally spoken of Obama in a complimentary manner. During the 2024 presidential campaign, he referred to Obama as a "nice gentleman" whom he happened to "like and respect." When considering the possibility of seeking a third term, Trump expressed interest in running against Obama, saying, "I’d love that, boy, I’d love that."

The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the two former presidents, underscoring their divergent political philosophies and approaches to governance. While the Obama Presidential Center aims to be a symbol of progress and community development, Trump’s criticism reflects his tendency to focus on perceived failures and to inject politically charged rhetoric into discussions about public projects. The future of the center and the ongoing dialogue between these prominent figures will likely continue to be a subject of public interest.