Chicago's Trump Tower could soon be located on 'Barack Hussein Obama Way' if a proposal to rename the street is approved. The plan to honor the 44th US president was unveiled at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center last Wednesday. If passed, an honorary street sign would be erected right outside Trump Tower, in a direct challenge to the White House incumbent, according to NBC Chicago.
Petition Gains Momentum
The tower, which houses the five-star Trump International Hotel with rooms starting at $500 per night, is currently on North Wabash Avenue in the city's Jackson Park district. However, more than 33,000 people signed a petition to rename the street as a tribute to a figure 'who stands for hope and change.' The campaign posted on Threads that the move was designed to 'p*** off the president.'
The petition's demands were taken up by Brendan Reilly, the alderman of the 42nd Ward, who set out plans to rename part of the street between East Kinzie Street and East Wacker Drive in honor of Barack Obama.
Political Context
The renaming effort comes amid heightened tensions between Trump and Chicago. Earlier this month, Trump threatened a military intervention in the city to tackle crime. At least seven people were killed and dozens injured in shootings in the midwestern city this month. Trump lashed out at Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for not calling him for help.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: 'Why isn’t Governor Pritzker calling me for help. I could make Chicago a safe City in ONE MONTH, in ONE YEAR, it would be one of the safest!!!'
Crime Trends Disputed
Crime rates have actually declined over several years in Chicago, in line with many other US cities, despite a slight recent uptick, according to ABC News. Rebuffing Trump's comments, Governor Pritzker, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, said: 'I don’t think that we should be listening to this president or the promises that he makes, or that he has any idea on how to protect us in the state of Illinois.'
The Trump Organization has been contacted for comment.
