It’s a Beast of a time in D.C. Donald Trump’s Washington reality show is full of new characters, plot twists and cliffhangers, and the Daily Beast will navigate you through it. The President won’t need to drain The Swamp. It’s all leaking here…
It was groundbreaking when Barack Obama was hustled into the White House in 2008 on the back of millions of tiny $5 donations, but more than three years after breaking ground on his much-vaunted $830 million presidential center it appears that some donors are balking at making the kind of big-ticket donations the former president might have expected.
Rather than shine as the nation’s lasting tribute to America’s first Black commander-in-chief, costly delays and worrying setbacks are in danger of turning the 225-ft watchtower library and museum project on the south side of Chicago into the Obamas’ financial folly.
While the media is busy worrying about Barack and Michelle Obama being on the outs —they haven’t been seen publicly together since December, although they did release a photo in January—the center’s fund-raisers have more substantial concerns on their minds – like why some deep-pocketed donors have gone MIA.
The former first couple have been facing divorce rumors. They were last seen together in December and released this photon January 17. / Barack Obama/Instagram
In 2022, Jeff Bezos and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky bailed them out with $100 million apiece to boost the year’s total to over $311 million, but fund-raising nosedived by more than 50% to $129,320,227, the following year, according to IRS filings, and supporters are nervously awaiting the 2024 totals as costs spiral upwards and delays pile up.
We’re told there’s a certain schadenfreude in some circles as the Obamas weren’t seen to be playing the game as they climbed the slippery pole to the White House. “He’s arrogant,” said one donor who ended up giving substantially less than they could.
“He didn’t help others when they were trying to fundraise and so they’re not going to look out for the Obamas now. There’s no quid pro quo because it’s a one-way street.”
Donors may also be asking how more than $5 million was paid out in “executive compensation” and $27,365,683 in other wages in 20023, with Obama pal Valerie Jarrett pulling in a $740,000 salary for a project that’s not likely to open for another year at the earliest.
Electrifying fundraisers like this one in 2007 in Philadelphia were the public face of Obama’s fundraising. But behind the scenes, the big fundraisers and donors felt Obama did not offer a two-way street of helping them too. And now they are delivering karmic reward. / Jemal Countess / WireImage
As things stand, the center’s on track to take a record time – at least 3,100 days – between the end of a presidency and the opening of a presidential library. By comparison, the libraries of George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush took an average of 1,653 days, Bill Clinton’s took 1,398, and Ronald Reagan 1,000 days.
The general mood hasn’t been improved by a $40 million lawsuit taken out by a concrete contractor alleging discriminatory practices.
The looming tower at the heart of the privately-funded 10-acre complex, which includes a library, a fruit and vegetable garden; a museum; an auditorium; and outdoor meeting areas and sports facilities has been erected and other buildings are in various stages of construction.
The center has been contacted for comment. The Obamas put back the projected opening date from late 2025 to Spring 2026 because the flowers will be in bloom. Fortunately, the library is digital. It doesn’t have to be that big.
Meanwhile, the fund-raising goes on. And the website is open to small donations. Every amount helps. Even $5.
Daily Beast’s The Swamp is written by David Gardner, Mary Ann Akers and Juliegrace Brufke.
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