President Trump was notably absent from Thursday’s grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago—a stark contrast to the star-studded gathering that drew four former presidents, including Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama himself. The event, described by The New York Times as a “star-studded party, concert and celebration,” featured musical acts from The Roots to Christina Aguilera and Bruce Springsteen.

During his speech at the ceremony, former President Barack Obama highlighted shared democratic values central to the center’s mission: “A belief in the intrinsic dignity and worth of all people… A belief in checks and balances in our government…” He emphasized that military and law enforcement owe allegiance to the Constitution and citizens—not any president or political party.

Michelle Obama delivered a speech contrasting the Obama administration with current American politics, noting President Obama’s accomplishments while enduring attacks on his birthplace and patriotism. She described his presidency as “a walk in this beautiful park,” referencing his resilience amid challenges.

The event underscored Obama’s call for unity through democratic principles—a message he reinforced by acknowledging that former presidents Biden, Clinton and George W. Bush all upheld values rooted in the nation’s founding. Trump’s exclusion from the ceremony followed his recent characterization of the center as a “trash heap,” marking an unspoken tension between the two figures at the event’s heart.