Former President Donald Trump has reignited his long-standing feud with former President Barack Obama, mocking the Obama Presidential Center during a May 6 Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump, who often boasts of his real estate prowess, derided the progress and budget overruns of Obama’s Chicago-based presidential library and museum, labeling it a “disaster.”
“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,” Trump said, taking a detour from policy discussion to launch a broadside at his predecessor.
The Obama Presidential Center, a 19.3-acre development situated in Chicago’s South Side, was originally slated to open in 2021 but is now targeting a public debut in 2026. According to the Obama Foundation, the project is nearing “substantial completion,” but delays and cost overruns have cast a shadow over its progress. What began as a $350 million plan has since swelled to $830 million.
Despite the setbacks, the foundation touts the center as a transformative, privately funded initiative intended to revitalize historic Jackson Park and catalyze economic growth. The complex will include a museum, community athletic facilities, a great lawn, walking trails, and spaces designed for public forums and international events.
Obama Foundation Responds to Criticism
Emily Bittner, a spokesperson for the Obama Foundation, responded to Trump’s jabs by emphasizing the project’s broader mission.
“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,” Bittner said. “We look forward to welcoming all visitors… to experience a presidential center that not only honors the Obamas’ legacy but also lifts up the next generation of leaders.”
Foundation leaders also highlighted the project’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. According to publicly shared goals, 35% of subcontractors are minority-owned, 15% are women-owned, and 9% hail from the Chicago area. However, Trump derided this effort as “woke” during his Oval Office remarks.
“He said something to the effect of, ‘I only want DEI. I only want woke,’” Trump claimed. “He wants woke people to build it. Well, he’s got woke people.”
The foundation, while standing by its inclusion goals, clarified that it is not involved in a recently filed racial discrimination lawsuit between subcontractors. The case, filed by a Black-owned company against another contractor, has reportedly had no impact on construction or its timeline.
A Long-Running Rivalry Rekindled
The exchange is the latest episode in a decade-long feud between Trump and Obama. From Trump’s early “birther” conspiracy theory targeting Obama’s citizenship, to the current war of words over presidential legacies, the two men have traded barbs in public forums for years.
Although the former presidents shared a rare moment of civility during former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this year, tensions have again escalated, particularly as Trump, during his second term, has taken increasingly controversial actions that Obama has openly condemned.
In April, Obama criticized the Trump administration’s reported cancellation of federal contracts for political purposes and its punitive financial measures targeting colleges that refused to comply with mandates to eliminate diversity programs and mask policies.
“That kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans,” Obama told a crowd at Hamilton College in New York. “Imagine if I had done any of this.”
He also lambasted Trump’s alleged media retaliation tactics, referencing reports that the Associated Press was excluded from certain White House events over its refusal to adopt Trump’s proposed 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 to laughter. “You’re laughing, but this is what’s happening.”
Trump’s Mixed Messaging on Obama
While Trump’s recent remarks reflect animosity, his messaging around Obama has occasionally included rare praise. During the 2024 campaign trail, Trump called Obama a “nice gentleman” and someone he “liked and respected.” He even toyed with the idea of a third presidential term, albeit unconstitutional, suggesting he would relish running against Obama.
“I’d love that, boy, I’d love that,” Trump mused.
What’s Next for the Obama Presidential Center?
Despite political theatrics, the Obama Presidential Center remains on track for a 2026 public opening, with its foundational mission focused on civic engagement, economic uplift, and preserving the legacy of the nation’s 44th president. Community advocates and foundation leaders continue to emphasize its long-term benefits for Chicago’s South Side.
Meanwhile, Trump’s continued focus on Obama may signal a broader campaign strategy of revisiting old rivalries and stoking culture war narratives — a hallmark of his political style that resonates with his base but further polarizes the national discourse.
User Questions Answered:
- What happened? Trump mocked Obama’s presidential library during a public Oval Office appearance, criticizing delays and costs.
- Why does it matter? The exchange reflects ongoing political tensions and affects public perception of both presidents’ legacies.
- What’s next? The Obama Center is projected to open in 2026, while political attacks from both sides are likely to continue ahead of upcoming elections.
