President Barack Obama's official center will get some starry support this week.
A who's who of entertainment, including members of U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, The Roots, Eddie Vedder, and more, will help the Obamas christen their Chicago hub Thursday.
And there's nothing wrong with that, even if said center looks as clumsy as a Death Star reject.
The Obama Presidential Center opens to the general public on Juneteenth after a celebratory dedication in Chicago with dignitaries. The roughly $850 million project covers both the political and personal realms of the nation’s first Black president. pic.twitter.com/mfboD3iCQu
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 4, 2026
President Obama served two terms in office, and if a galaxy of stars wants to celebrate the next chapter in his public life, so be it. Chances are, they haven't seen their medical insurance soar under Obama's signature legislation. And, if they have, they can foot the bill thanks to good, old-fashioned American capitalism.
What a country!
What's jarring about the news? The timing.
In recent weeks, we've seen a gaggle of C-list musicians sign up for a musical event designed to honor the nation's 250th birthday. Yes, the group behind the gala came from President Donald Trump's braintrust, but the event was meant to honor the nation's milestone first and foremost.
And, one by one, the entertainers dropped out after the press hammered the notion that the event was a MAGA Nation jamboree. First, that wasn't necessarily the case. None of the stars, including Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, and Vanilla Ice, reported any pressure to praise the president or make the gala political.
Secondly, Michaels suggested that he faced threats to his safety merely for performing at the event.
Why? Because the modern Left demands allegiance to the progressive state, and anyone who disagrees must be punished. Is there another reason?
We've seen this play out over and over again, including the atrocious treatment of actress Cheryl Hines in recent years. Her crime? She's married to Robert F. Kennedy, the lifelong Democrat who switched parties to become President Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services.
For that, even The Hollywood Reporter suggested she might face professional recrimination. And, right on cue, she hasn't had a professional gig since Election Day 2024.
Coincidence?
Consider the artists who have faced similar blowback for merely leaning to the Right. Just ask Kevin Sorbo or James Woods how that works.
Most recently, squeaky clean comedian Nate Bargatze drew withering press for a similar "crime." He appeared at the White House UFC event over the weekend and, gasp, took pictures with people in attendance, including Hines and Kennedy.
LEAVE NATE BARGATZE ALONE YOU GHOULS. pic.twitter.com/4eoXvDuPgt
— Bridget Phetasy (@BridgetPhetasy) June 16, 2026
Even USA Today piled on, inflating social media posts to suggest the superstar comic's career is in jeopardy. The hard-hitting journalism in question cited two - TWO - social media posts shrieking over Bargatze's appearance at the gala.
Cue the Pulitzer committee, stat!
The dominant media culture leans aggressively to the Left, as does the entertainment industry. Both work in tandem to make sure any star who expresses support for the GOP suffers the consequences. Public shaming. Lost work. You name it.
Bargatze is an A-list touring comedian. He'll be fine moving forward. The message being sent isn't for him. It's for any entertainer who might share his or her right-leaning thoughts in public.
Do so at your professional peril.
Wouldn't it be nice for a Springsteen, Bono, or Vedder to speak out about that toxic trend? They'll be too busy shmoozing with the Obamas to do anything of the kind.
