It’s not every day that a presidential library becomes a trending topic on social media — but Barack Obama’s new Chicago project has managed to do just that.
Instead of admiration, the soon-to-open Obama Presidential Center has set off a wave of memes, jokes, and comparisons that have the internet in stitches.
From Star Wars references to cartoon villain lairs, people online can’t seem to agree on what the concrete structure really looks like — except that it’s definitely not what they expected.
Social Media Erupts With Star Wars Jokes
It all started when Texas Senator Ted Cruz decided to poke fun at the building’s appearance on X (formerly Twitter).
“Locating the Death Star to Chicago was a bold move,” he quipped — and that was all it took for the internet to run wild.
Within hours, users began photoshopping X-wing fighters and stormtroopers flying around the structure, while others placed the building in outer space to complete the Star Wars illusion.
Some even joked that the interior probably looks like the trash compactor from the first movie — the one that tried to swallow Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker.
The Building Behind the Memes
Currently under construction near Chicago’s Jackson Park, the presidential center towers at an impressive 225 feet.
The design was first revealed a decade ago, and even then, it stirred up plenty of debate.
Architects describe the structure as influenced by brutalist architecture — a post-war design style known for its raw, exposed concrete and practical, no-frills look.
Architect Geddes Ulinskas once explained that brutalism celebrates simplicity and honesty in materials, stripping everything down to its most basic form.
That didn’t stop critics from having fun with it.
“Supervillain lair from a comic book — actually, it’s on brand,” one person joked, while another posted a picture of a concrete trash can, saying, “I have one in my neighborhood too.”
A few even compared it to Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s evil tower from Phineas and Ferb.
A Presidential Library Unlike Any Other
Presidential libraries have long been symbols of legacy — and most have taken a classic architectural approach.
George H.W. Bush’s library features traditional stone and American flags, while Ronald Reagan’s is designed with mission-style influences reflecting California’s Latin heritage.
John F. Kennedy’s library, however, comes the closest to Obama’s in terms of modernism, using sharp lines and minimalistic features.
But the Obama Presidential Center is deliberately breaking from tradition.
According to its website, the design “echoes movement upward from the grassroots,” and each side of the building will look slightly different.
One façade will even include words from Obama’s speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma march.
A Modern Library for a Digital Age
The non-traditional approach doesn’t stop at the exterior.
Unlike previous presidential libraries, which are filled with physical documents and archives, Obama’s will be fully digital.
The collection will exist online, symbolizing the technological era during which he served as president.
Beyond the museum and exhibits, the sprawling campus will also include a fruit and vegetable garden, an athletics center, and even a branch of the Chicago Public Library.
It’s designed not just as a monument, but as a community hub for learning, activity, and civic engagement.
Set to Open Next Spring
Despite the memes and mockery, construction is moving forward quickly.
The Obama Presidential Center is expected to open its doors next spring — and whether people love or hate its futuristic look, it’s already succeeded in one thing: getting everyone’s attention.