President Donald Trump has received an invitation that few political observers saw coming.
As the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its long-awaited opening in Chicago, officials behind the project are publicly welcoming Trump to visit the new campus despite years of criticism from the president.
The invitation came from Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, one of former President Barack Obama’s closest advisers.
During a media preview event, Jarrett said Trump would be welcome to tour the center and see firsthand what organizers have spent years building on Chicago’s South Side.
“When our visitors come, they will see a spectacular campus,” Jarrett said. “If Trump would like to come and visit it himself, we would welcome him and give him a tour.”
The invitation immediately drew attention because Trump has been one of the project’s most vocal critics.
Over the years, the president has repeatedly questioned the center’s rising costs and lengthy construction timeline. Earlier this year, Trump criticized the project on social media, arguing that taxpayers and local residents were being left to deal with the consequences of delays and budget increases.
His comments reflected concerns that have been raised by some Chicago residents throughout the development process.
The Obama Presidential Center has become one of the most expensive presidential projects in modern history.
The sprawling campus reportedly cost approximately $850 million and took nearly a decade to complete. The site includes a museum, civic center, restaurant, cafe, athletic facilities, gardens, and public gathering spaces designed to serve both tourists and local residents.
Supporters say the center will bring jobs, investment, and new opportunities to Chicago’s South Side. Critics, however, have questioned the project’s cost and whether the benefits will justify the massive investment.
Trump has not backed away from his criticism. Earlier this year, he even shared a satirical image on social media mocking the center’s appearance, further highlighting the political divide surrounding the project.
Still, Jarrett’s public invitation suggests an effort to extend an olive branch as opening day approaches.
The Obama Presidential Center is scheduled to officially open to the public on June 19, coinciding with the Juneteenth holiday. Organizers expect significant crowds as visitors from across the country travel to see the new landmark.
Whether Trump ultimately accepts the invitation remains unclear.
But one thing is certain: the unexpected offer has added another fascinating chapter to one of America’s most well-known political rivalries.
As opening day nears, many will be watching to see whether the president decides to take Jarrett up on her invitation—or continues viewing the project from a distance.