Trump Lashes Out at Obama's Presidential Library Project

Former president claims Illinois is overspending on the 'badly delayed' and 'tremendously over budget' library.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump took to social media to criticize the ongoing construction of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois. Trump claimed the project is 'badly delayed' and 'tremendously over budget,' and that the 'neighborhood is ANGRY AS HELL' about it. The library, originally slated to open in 2021, is now expected to open this June after facing multiple lawsuits and cost issues during construction.

Why it matters

Trump's attacks on Obama's presidential library project are the latest in a long-running feud between the two former presidents. The library has been a target for Trump, who has previously described it as 'woke' and 'a disaster.' This latest outburst comes as Trump is also planning the construction of his own presidential library in Miami, Florida.

The details

In his social media post, Trump wrote that 'Illinois is spending hundreds of millions of dollars in trying to BAIL OUT Obama's badly delayed, and tremendously over budget, 'Library.'' He also claimed that 'the neighborhood is ANGRY AS HELL' about the project. The Barack Obama Presidential Center, originally planned to open in 2021, is now expected to open in Chicago this June after facing multiple lawsuits and cost factors that have delayed construction.

  • The Barack Obama Presidential Center was originally slated to open in 2021.
  • The library is now expected to open in Chicago this June.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who has repeatedly criticized the Barack Obama Presidential Center project.

Barack Obama

The former president of the United States whose presidential library project in Chicago has faced delays and criticism from Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Illinois is spending hundreds of millions of dollars in trying to BAIL OUT Obama's badly delayed, and tremendously over budget, 'Library.' The neighborhood is ANGRY AS HELL. It is a total disaster!”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

The Barack Obama Presidential Center is expected to open in Chicago this June after facing multiple delays and cost issues during construction.

The takeaway

Trump's latest attack on the Obama presidential library project underscores the ongoing feud between the two former presidents, as Trump continues to criticize the project while also planning the construction of his own presidential library in Florida.