Former Presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush are slated to appear at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, according to a source familiar with the event. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the attendance of the three former commanders-in-chief, marking a rare bipartisan gathering of living ex-presidents.
Former first ladies Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Jill Biden will also join the ceremony, the outlet reported. The event, set for Thursday, is expected to draw significant political and celebrity attention to the South Side of Chicago, where the center is located.
The Obama Foundation, which oversees the center, has not officially confirmed the presidential lineup, but a source close to the planning told the Sun-Times that the three former presidents intend to participate. The Hill has reached out to the foundation for verification.
Star-Studded Performances Planned
The opening ceremony will feature a roster of award-winning musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, The Roots, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Marc Anthony, Tems, and U2's Bono and The Edge. Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, described the event as "unlike any other—filled with music, performances, and hope."
"The Grand Opening Ceremony will reflect a spirit of inspiration and joy, with a big boost from the performers who are sharing their talent with us," Jarrett said in a statement. "We hope to inspire people everywhere to believe in their power to bring change home."
The gathering of three former presidents—two Democrats and one Republican—underscores the center's aim to bridge political divides and promote civic engagement. It also highlights the unique stature of Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, whose library and museum are expected to become a major cultural and educational hub.
Political Context and Significance
The attendance of Biden, Clinton, and Bush comes amid a politically charged atmosphere, with the 2024 election cycle already underway. Biden, the current president, has faced criticism from some quarters for his handling of the economy and foreign policy, while Clinton remains a prominent Democratic figure and Bush has largely stayed out of the political fray since leaving office.
The Obama Presidential Center, which broke ground in 2021, is designed to include a museum, public park, and community spaces. It has faced delays and legal challenges over its location in Jackson Park, but the opening ceremony signals a new chapter for the project.
For more on the event's lineup and details, see our earlier report on the star-studded ceremony set for Thursday. Meanwhile, the political landscape continues to shift, with figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. flirting with a 2028 presidential run and calling potential rivals "goobers."
The former presidents' joint appearance also contrasts with recent tensions over international diplomacy, such as the G7's endorsement of a Trump-brokered Iran ceasefire and concerns about the Strait of Hormuz reopening. The Obama Center's focus on hope and community aims to offer a respite from such geopolitical strife.
