President Donald J. Trump won’t be on hand when the Obama Presidential Center holds its grand opening ceremony in June, Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett confirmed over the weekend.
The longtime adviser to former President Barack Obama appeared on Saturday’s edition of MS Now’s “The Weekend,” where she was asked by host Jonathan Capehart if Trump would be on the guest list for the festivities, a four-day orgy of Obama worship set to take place June 18 through June 21 in Chicago.
“So when things like this presidential centers or presidential libraries — I was there for President Clinton’s presidential library opening — there are all sorts of dignitaries who are there who are invited. And so I’m just wondering, Valerie, is President Trump invited?” Capehart asked.
(Video Credit: MS NOW)
Jarrett acknowledged that Trump shouldn’t be looking for an invite, but graciously extended a welcome to the current president if he chooses to visit the monument to Obama’s ego after it opens to the public.
“As I said, this is really a chance for us to celebrate with the people who joined President Obama on this journey, the ordinary people who did the extraordinary things. So, no, but I will say, I hasten to add, that after we open to the public, should President Trump want to come and tour the center, President Obama would be delighted for him to do so,” she said.
Former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden have been invited.
“Sure,” Jarrett said when asked if the former Republican leader was welcome. “You know, we work really closely with President Bush. And I often say that during the transition, and I was one of the co-chairs of President Obama’s transition, President Bush and his team could not have been more supportive to us when we had the weeks the country or the world experienced the Haitian earthquake. President Bush and President Clinton worked together on the Haitian relief fund. President Obama and President Bush worked closely to try to encourage people to take COVID vaccines.”
A grotesque eyesore reportedly costing in the neighborhood of $850 million, the Obama Presidential Center sticks up like a gigantic gray concrete turd in the heart of a historic Windy City park, with many expressing the opinion that it’s among the ugliest buildings in America.
The former president proudly announced the opening date in a Saturday video posted to X.
Today, Michelle and I are proud to announce that we will be hosting the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center on June 18th in Chicago, and welcoming the public on June 19th.
We can’t wait for you to visit. Go to https://t.co/swMRHuB5Y4 to learn more. pic.twitter.com/8mcbWjs6cz
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 7, 2026
“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,” Obama said.
“Here on the South Side of Chicago, hope is getting a permanent home. Starting on June 19, you can visit the Obama Presidential Center. 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,” he added.
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