Obama Presidential Center Opens as Former President and First Lady Reflect on Legacy and Future

The opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago marks a significant milestone for former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who reflected on their journey and accomplishments during their first joint network television interview since leaving office in 2017. In an exclusive conversation with ABC News' Robin Roberts, the couple discussed their eight years in the White House and expressed cautious optimism about the nation's future despite current public discouragement.

Barack Obama outlined his approach to life after the presidency, describing himself as more of a "coach" than a "player" in contemporary political debates. He drew parallels to George Washington's decision to step away from politics after his tenure, while acknowledging that Michelle Obama prefers a quieter life for them both. "People are a little discouraged right now," Obama told Roberts, "but I believe that we go through these cycles, and there's going to be a younger generation that pops up and there are going to be leaders who pop up."

When asked about his greatest accomplishment in office, Barack Obama highlighted the passage of the Affordable Care Act in March 2010. He emphasized that the legislation has helped 50 to 60 million people by expanding Medicaid, providing consumer protections, and lowering health insurance costs for low-income households, despite ongoing attempts by Congress to weaken it. "I'm very proud of the message we sent to the country that we're representing everybody," he stated.

The Obama Presidential Center, situated on a 19-acre campus in Chicago's Jackson Park near the University of Chicago, represents a $850 million investment in the former president's legacy. The comprehensive facility includes a four-story museum, 3.7 acres of parkland, offices for the Obama Foundation, a public auditorium, athletic facilities, and a new Chicago Public Library branch. The museum contextualizes the Obama years within broader narratives of American social change, spanning from the Declaration of Independence through the civil rights and labor movements to the grassroots political movement that propelled Barack Obama's political rise.

Michelle Obama reinforced the continued relevance of the campaign messages of "hope" and "change," telling Roberts that such messages remain possible if people are sufficiently motivated to demand better. "People just have to be fed up enough. They have to want more," she said. The presidential archives, developed in collaboration with the National Archives and Records Administration, are fully digital, making them accessible to researchers and the public. The special ABC News interview airs on Disney+ and Hulu on Thursday, June 18.