Former U.S. President Barack Obama has enlisted a group of famous musicians to perform at the opening of his new cultural center. The star-studded lineup includes Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Bono and the Edge from U2, Eddie Vedder, and Bruce Springsteen. The event, scheduled for June 18 at noon ET, will mark the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s South Side. The center, which features a museum, library, and athletic arena with an NBA-regulation court, will be livestreamed before opening to the public on Juneteenth, a U.S. federal holiday.
While Obama’s event is set to showcase top talent, U.S. President Donald Trump is not expected to attend. Trump has been focusing on the Freedom 250 programming to commemorate the country’s 250th birthday, including hosting a White House UFC event. However, his activities have sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of using public events to promote his political brand.
The shift from the bipartisan America 250 committee to Trump’s Freedom 250 committee has led to confusion and prompted some performers to withdraw from anniversary events associated with Trump. Despite some cancellations, performers like Flo Rida and Vanilla Ice are still slated to appear.
As Trump deals with controversies surrounding his events, America 250 is also proceeding with its own celebrations, such as the America’s Block Party concert featuring the Smashing Pumpkins and Queen Latifah. The contrasting events highlight a potential competition for the spotlight between Obama and Trump, with Obama’s brand seen as having higher cultural legitimacy.
Obama’s center has faced criticism for its design and lack of a National Archives facility on-site. Despite the critiques, the 20-acre campus is expected to attract around 1 million visitors annually, offering various amenities including a library branch, basketball court, garden, and playground.