‘Star Wars’ Dips Into Politics With May the Fourth Announcement Featuring President Obama
Mark Hamill and Barack Obama celebrated Star Wars Day together this year with a surprising announcement about the Obama Presidential Center.
The Galaxy Far, Far Away Meets Chicago
The Obama Foundation used Star Wars Day to announce that tickets for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago will go on sale to the public on May 6, 2026. To make the announcement, the Foundation tapped Mark Hamill for a video shared on the official Obama Foundation social media pages on Monday:
📸🍿💫
Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center available May 6.
@BarackObama @MarkHamill
📸🍿💫
Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center available May 6. @BarackObama @MarkHamill pic.twitter.com/z9MUJqQMBD
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) May 4, 2026
The sketch opens with text reading “A short time from now on the South Side of Chicago…” before Hamill reaches out through the Force to deliver his message.
“Hear me… President Obama… President Obama,” Hamill says.
Obama appears on screen, walking through the presidential center: “Mark, I told you you have to stop contacting me like this.”
“Oh! I just wanted to ask: when can I come to the presidential center?” Hamill replies.
Obama responds with an exasperated look as John Williams-esque music swells in the background, accompanied by text announcing the May 6 ticket sale date.
“Oh!” Hamill exclaims.
How To Visit the Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center is located at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave. in Chicago’s Jackson Park neighborhood on the South Side, where Barack and Michelle Obama met and built their lives together. The 19.3-acre campus is funded by the Obama Foundation and includes a museum, a basketball court, a Great Lawn, and more.
The center officially opens on June 19, 2026 — Juneteenth. Campus grounds will be open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week. Museum visits require a timed-entry ticket; museum hours are Monday from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale at the Obama Foundation website beginning May 6.
Are you planning a trip to the Obama Presidential Center? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
