The Barack Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side has received a new design addition that is drawing renewed criticism online ahead of its scheduled opening next June, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.
The $830 million project, which has been under construction for several years, has faced scrutiny over its cost, timeline, and architectural style.
Located in Jackson Park, the center has been described by critics as austere and “prison-like” during its development. The project has also come in over budget and behind schedule.
I actually love the Obama library because I’ve never seen any uglier building in my life and it’s a perfect visual representation of leftism. https://t.co/nvcgbtzB4o
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) February 18, 2026
Now, a portion of a speech delivered by former President Barack Obama in 2015 has been added to the exterior of the structure.
According to The New York Post, the words come from Obama’s speech in Selma, Alabama, marking the 50th anniversary of the civil rights marches.
The newly installed excerpt spans part of the building’s facade, featuring phrases taken from the Selma address.
Images of the update circulated on X this week, prompting reactions from users who criticized the design and formatting of the text.
One user described the addition as “headache-inducing,” pointing to what they said were disjointed words displayed across the building.
Photos shared online show large lettering covering a portion of the center’s exterior.
Social media users responded with commentary and memes, with some mocking both the project’s appearance and the decision to incorporate the speech excerpt into the structure’s design.
They somehow managed to make the Obama presidential library even uglier.
My gosh. 😭 pic.twitter.com/lmZnyJ4FSs
— johnny maga (@johnnymaga) February 17, 2026
I's indistinguishable from L's and T's. E's indistinguishable from F's. Multiple words get disjointed–not just on one plane but two.
Truly, one of the most headache-inducing reading experiences I've ever had. pic.twitter.com/hohr6Whusy— Jacob Shell (@JacobAShell) February 17, 2026
The Obama Presidential Center is being built on Chicago’s South Side and is intended to serve as a museum and community space dedicated to the legacy of the 44th president.
The project has faced legal challenges and opposition from some local residents concerned about environmental impacts and changes to the public park space.
Jackson Park, where the center is located, had long been a public recreational area. Some critics have referred to the building as a “monstrosity” that dominates the surrounding landscape.
The speech excerpt added to the facade is drawn from Obama’s 2015 address in Selma, which commemorated the historic civil rights marches that took place in Alabama in 1965.
The New York Post reported that the words were selected from that speech and incorporated into the structure’s design
The center’s projected cost of $830 million has also been a point of discussion as construction has progressed. Officials have previously said the facility will include exhibition space, a library, and community programming areas.
Despite the criticism circulating online, the center remains on track to open next June, according to project timelines.
As construction continues, the latest design update has renewed debate over the building’s appearance and the overall vision for the presidential center.