The “Obamalisk” Debuts in Chicago: A Monument of Division, Excess, and Broken Promises

By Michael Dorstewitz
June 19, 2026

Today the Obama Presidential Center opened to the general public as a stark illustration of his administration’s legacy: it is ugly, divisive, overly expensive, and built on broken promises. Standing 220 feet above Chicago’s Jackson Park, the structure has been described by critics as a “monolith,” a “boulder in a park,” or the “Obamalisk” (a term referencing its obelisk-like form).

The building’s design has drawn comparisons to a “Klingon prison,” “sci-fi HQ,” “flak tower,” and “fortress” due to its massive, windowless granite presence and angular structure. Even former President Obama himself dubbed it a “Death Star,” highlighting the project’s imposing nature.

This opening reflects a pattern seen throughout Obama’s presidency. Almost from his first day in the White House, he framed nearly every incident through a racial lens—a tendency that extended to his presidential center. Upon entering, visitors encounter “The Founding Contradictions” section, which juxtaposes the Declaration of Independence’s assertion that “all men are created equal” with the historical prevalence of slavery in colonial America.

It is important to note that slavery was widespread across much of the world during the 18th century and persisted until the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1834. President Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished involuntary servitude by December 6, 1865.

Initial cost estimates for the Obama Presidential Center were comparable to other presidential libraries but quickly escalated, making it the most expensive such center built to date. This aligns with Obama’s presidency, during which the national debt nearly doubled from $10.627 trillion to $19.947 trillion—a rise of approximately $9.32 trillion (about 88%) over his two terms.

Contractors who worked on the project are now expressing concerns about payment. Minority-owned businesses and others report they have not received their payments for the center’s construction. A representative from the African American Contractors Association stated: “So many of our Black contractors are complaining they have not got their money… Contractors are already in bankruptcy.”

The city of Chicago also faced financial strain. In exchange for a one-time payment of $10 million, the Obama Foundation agreed to establish a $470 million endowment fund—but only $1 million has been deposited into this reserve.

Additionally, top officials at the Obama Foundation earn substantial salaries: the three highest-paid officers receive $745,000, $600,000, and $425,000 annually.

The article recalls Obama’s past statements, including his repeated claim during the Affordable Care Act rollout that “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor”—a phrase Politifact labeled its 2017 “Lie of the Year.”