Barack Obama is facing additional challenges amid reports of marital strife and the potential for divorce from Michelle Obama.
The latest concern involves the Obama Presidential Center, where one of the primary firms responsible for constructing the library dedicated to the nation’s first black president is being accused of racial discrimination by a local subcontractor owned by a black entrepreneur. This year has been particularly difficult for Obama, who attended Jimmy Carter’s state funeral and Donald Trump’s second inauguration alone, as Michelle chose not to follow tradition and attend.
Her absence has reignited speculation about a possible separation between the former first couple, which they are attempting to dispel by presenting a united front. However, the Obama Presidential Center, a long-anticipated library and community hub in Chicago, may encounter further delays due to a federal lawsuit.
From the outset, the center has posed significant challenges for Obama. The library has faced legal issues regarding its proposed site, escalating costs, and construction complications, which means Obama is likely to set a record for the longest duration between the conclusion of a presidency and the inauguration of a namesake museum.
Rumors of a separation between Barack and Michelle Obama have circulated, particularly highlighted during the Democratic National Convention in August 2024.
Robert McGee, the owner of the South Side-based firm II in One, which provided concrete and rebar services for the center, alleges that Thornton Tomasetti, the structural engineering firm, consistently altered project standards and subjected his company to excessively stringent inspections and extensive documentation. This, he claims, adversely affected productivity and led to significant financial losses, as stated in the lawsuit. The lawsuit describes a troubling situation where the African American owner of a local construction company is facing potential closure due to alleged racial discrimination by Thornton Tomasetti, the structural engineer for the Obama Presidential Center. McGee expressed disbelief that the Obamas would be involved in such a situation.Thornton Tomasetti has refuted the allegations, stating in a memo that the construction costs and delays were “unequivocally driven by the underperformance and inexperience” of the black-owned subcontractor involved.
In a memo dated February 2024, which is part of the lawsuit, Thornton Tomasetti provided images of a cracked slab and exposed rebar, informing the leadership of the Obama Foundation that the Concrete Collective, which included McGee’s company, had submitted numerous requests to rectify its on-site work.
The firm reported that it dedicated “hundreds of hours to reviewing, analyzing, redesigning, and responding to corrective work,” asserting that the contractors created “a multitude of problems in the field.” In response, McGee criticized Thornton Tomasetti’s remarks as “unfair,” claiming the lawsuit inaccurately portrayed II in One as “lacking sufficient qualifications.”
Emily Bittner, a spokeswoman for the Obama Foundation, told the Chicago Tribune, “If the Foundation believed that any vendor was acting with a racist intent, we would immediately take appropriate action. We have no reason to believe that Thornton Tomasetti acted with racist intent.”
Obama committed to employing local workers, contractors, and businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and people with disabilities for the construction of his five-acre compound, which he envisioned as a leadership training institute, community center, and a monument to his presidency.
Thornton Tomasetti has participated in numerous prominent public projects, including Hudson Yards in Manhattan, the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Chicago’s Navy Pier, and the visitor center at the Washington Monument.
The firm was engaged by The Barack Obama Foundation to act as the structural engineer for the construction of the former president’s center.
II in One has been involved in projects such as Millennium Park, the residential commons on the north campus of the University of Chicago, and Kennedy King College.The former president emphasized the unity between him and his wife in a recently issued statement concerning the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., on Thursday evening.
In a heartfelt message directed to those mourning the loss of their loved ones in the incident, Barack, 63, expressed sentiments such as “our hearts break” and “Michelle and I send our prayers,” effectively addressing the ongoing rumors about their marital status.
Michelle, 61, subsequently shared his poignant post on her own social media account.
This statement followed closely on the heels of another joint announcement from the couple, which revealed that The Obama Presidential Center would be honoring Hadiya Pendleton.
Hadiya, an honor roll student, was tragically killed in 2013 shortly after performing with her majorette squad at Obama’s second inauguration. Michelle Obama, who was the first lady at the time, attended her funeral.
The last public appearance of the couple together was in mid-December, over a month ago, when they dined out in Los Angeles.
Images from that evening captured Michelle smiling for the cameras as she exited the well-known celebrity venue Mother Wolf, while her husband appeared more serious as he followed behind.
In October, actress Jennifer Aniston publicly refuted “absolutely untrue” allegations from a gossip magazine suggesting that she and Barack were involved romantically.
These rumors were further fueled by the hosts of the popular podcast Who? Weekly, who claimed that the Obamas were “living separate lives” while he and Jennifer were engaged in an affair. The Friends star clarified during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show, stating, “I’ve met him once. I know Michelle more than him.”
