Trump Criticizes Obama Presidential Center Amid Delays and Cost Overruns
Former President Donald Trump used typically blunt language this week to describe former President Barack Obama’s long-delayed presidential library and museum, now under construction in Chicago’s Jackson Park. When asked about the project during an Oval Office interview on Monday, Trump remarked, “He needs help—it’s not too pretty,” drawing laughter from those present. He went on to suggest that the project’s troubles stemmed from Obama’s emphasis on “hiring women and DEI”—referring to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives—claiming that these priorities had led to construction problems and rising costs. Trump contrasted the Obama Presidential Center with his own Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, boasting that it was built “ahead of schedule and on budget” and praising local construction workers as “the best in the country.”
The former president has criticized the Obama project before, previously calling it “a disaster” and blaming “woke construction workers” for its issues. The Obama Foundation, however, has dismissed such claims, attributing cost increases to inflation, pandemic-related delays, and legal challenges. Initially budgeted at around $300 million, the Obama Presidential Center’s estimated cost has now exceeded $830 million. Chicago taxpayers are expected to cover roughly $200 million in infrastructure and utility improvements connected to the site.
The project has also faced legal troubles. Robert McGee, owner of II in One, a subcontractor providing concrete and rebar services, filed a federal lawsuit in January against engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti. McGee alleges that the firm’s overly strict design and inspection requirements caused costly delays and unfairly targeted minority-owned contractors. Thornton Tomasetti has denied the allegations, saying delays stemmed from subcontractor performance issues. The Obama Center, years behind schedule, is now expected to open next year—nearly a decade after Obama left office.
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