Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, once the epitome of America’s power couple, are now grappling with several challenges that could potentially topple their meticulously built post-presidential empire. Accusations of racial discrimination have thrown their $800 million presidential center project in Chicago, Illinois, into controversy, and rumors of marital discord are growing as the couple is increasingly seen living apart.
The financial pillar of the foundation has shown cracks under strain as fundraising decreased drastically from $311 million in 2022 to $129 million in 2023. Prominent benefactors including Jeff Bezos and Brian Chesky have withdrawn their vital support, with an unnamed donor pointing out Obama’s “arrogance” as the breaking point. The foundation is finding it hard to maintain momentum despite having over 82,000 donors, amid rising questions about exorbitant executive compensation and questionable management decisions.
A $40 million racial discrimination lawsuit looms over the legacy project of the first Black president, ironically. II in One Concrete, a Black-owned subcontractor, alleges that construction firm Thornton Tomasetti imposed “excessively rigorous and unnecessary” inspection standards, forcing the company towards bankruptcy. This lawsuit has revealed significant gaps between the project’s ambitious diversity objectives and its actual implementation. The Obama Foundation has stated they would have intervened if there was any sign of racist intent from a vendor. Thornton Tomasetti denies the allegations, attributing the issues to the subcontractor’s lack of experience and insufficient performance.
The cost of the center has escalated from $500 million to $800 million, reluctantly setting a record for the longest interval between a presidency and the completion of its library. Distinct from traditional presidential libraries, this embattled project will not house presidential archives or be supervised by the National Archives. Although the foundation asserts having raised $1.5 billion towards its $1.6 billion target, increasing legal issues and departing donors cast a shadow over its capability to accomplish its goal.
Public attention has been directed towards the personal life of the Obamas, as Michelle Obama’s absence from two significant public events has fueled speculation about their marital status. Their latest joint public appearance was documented in early December 2024. Sources have indicated escalating tensions after Michelle chose not to run for president, which reportedly disappointed Barack. The couple has endeavored to display unity publicly, with Michelle sharing Barack’s statement following a recent plane crash tragedy, but their increasingly separate schedules have attracted attention.
Local support for the presidential center has also waned. Community activists have expressed concerns that the completed center will result in increased house prices in the area, possibly displacing longstanding residents. Concurrently, environmental groups are protesting against the destruction of parkland and wildlife habitats. The project, which was intended to crown Obama’s legacy, now risks becoming a representation of overextension and poor management.
For the couple who were once seen as symbols of hope and unity, their empire seems to be under threat from potential personal issues and public setbacks.
