Obama Presidential Center grand opening to feature star-studded performances in Chicago: Live updates

Obama Presidential Center grand opening to feature star-studded performances in Chicago: Live updates The Obama Presidential Center’s grand opening will be livestreamed starting at noon ET - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Barack Obama will mark the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in his hometown of Chicago today with a star-studded musical lineup including Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Christina Aguilera. The ceremony — hosted by the former president and former first lady Michelle Obama — takes place a day before the presidential center, which has been in the works for a decade, opens to the public on Juneteenth for thousands of guests. The grand opening, which will be livestreamed starting at noon ET today, will feature performances by a roster of legendary singers, including The Roots, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Marc Anthony, American rapper Common and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. They will also be joined by U2's Bono and The Edge, Nigerian singer Tems, and actress and producer Marsai Martin. With a $850 million price tag, raised through private donations, the Obama Center is the most expensive presidential library ever built. U.S. President Donald Trump has been a consistent critic of the Obama Presidential Library over its budget. Earlier this month on his Truth Social account, Trump shared an AI-generated image of the library deteriorating, surrounded by homeless encampments, with a large pile of garbage on top of the structure, and called it a “disaster.” After his post, Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said the center would welcome Trump to view the center for himself. “Judge for yourself,” Jarett said during a preview of the center this month. “When our visitors come, they will see a spectacular campus… If [Trump] would like to come and visit it himself, we would welcome him and give him a tour.” Follow along for live updates of the Obama Presidential Center grand opening today… Star-studded lineup Thursday’s grand opening ceremony has an impressive lineup of performers, including: - Bruce Springsteen - Christina Aguilera - The Roots - Jennifer Hudson - John Legend - Stevie Wonder - Marc Anthony - Common - Eddie Vedder - Bono and The Edge - Tems - Marsai Martin No invite for Trump Every living president will be in attendance at the grand opening ceremony except for President Donald Trump. During a press preview of the center earlier this month, Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said Trump is welcome to visit the museum and get a tour. However, she said he was not invited to the dedication. “I can tell you that this is a celebration for those who helped get President Obama where he is. And this is a gift to them,” Jarrett said at the time. “And so the people who will be here are the people who've been helpful along the way.” Trump has been a consistent critic of the $850 million center, calling it a “disaster” in a Truth Social post earlier this month. Obama Presidential Center opens today Barack and Michelle Obama will open the Obama Presidential Center today with a star-studded dedication ceremony. After nearly a decade in the making, the massive 19-acre space on the south side of Chicago features a museum, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a basketball court and a garden. The grand opening will start at noon ET. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments