Over the last few days, the focus of the media shifted entirely towards the grand opening of the Obama Center in Chicago. The grand opening made such a buzz that the media even forced themselves to slow down the endless abuse of the current president to instead focus on this obelisk of nostalgia constructed in honor of their beloved former President Obama. On this Friday’s CBS Mornings, co-host Gayle King and congressional correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns defied the idea that CBS is now MAGA-coded and discussed their visits to the center’s opening ceremony with King in particular gushing over Obama’s use of the word “we.” Of course, Huey-Burns immediately poked fun at Donald Trump for not being invited to the event: I don't know about you but I was completely blown away by some of those musical performances. This event drew some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics including all the living American presidents except for one. In her report, she repeated the idea: HUEY-BURNS: Joining in on the celebration, all the living former presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Joe Biden. But President Donald Trump was not invited. Former president Obama criticized his successor without mentioning him by name. BARACK OBAMA: A belief in the peaceful transfer of power after the people have spoken in fair and free elections.   The Obama obelisk had its grand opening yesterday, so of course the media were all over it this morning. More than a decade since this guy was in office and they're still drooling over him. I guess if he's their only success in 25 years they have to stick with him. pic.twitter.com/y5X9yXCG2U — James Waterman (@jwatermaniv) June 19, 2026   After getting their digs in against the sitting president, CBS began their adoring praise of Obama, marveling at the self-serving celebrations of the opening ceremony. Eventually, Gayle King brought up how moved she was by Obama’s allegedly brilliant orations: I took a tour on Wednesday, three hours, and it wasn't enough time…But what got me yesterday were the performances, and Michelle Obama and Barack Obama’s speeches. We all know what great speakers they are, but I think it came flooding back to so many people, how much their words, and how powerful they are. Barack Obama said the most important words in the English language are ‘we’. And I think that speaks volumes for who they are and what they represent. ‘We.’   The CBS Mornings hosts drooling over Obama's use of "we". It's not actually that profound, but Obama said it, so its really one of the greatest rhetorical instruments in history. pic.twitter.com/TnKw5QOco9 — James Waterman (@jwatermaniv) June 19, 2026   Gayle King, of course, is a very close friend of the Obamas, being a massive donor to the Democratic Party and going on vacation with the ex-presidential family herself. With that background, it’s unsurprising that she plays off this fairly basic quote by Obama as a rhetorical masterpiece.  This is, however, part of a greater movement by the media, especially CBS, to pass Obama off as some kind of “virtuoso” miracle child who is unifying and non-partisan. Being their only real political success in the last 20 years, without him the media have nothing to work off of. Of course, they could have more to talk about if they just dedicated themselves to fair news coverage, but that would undermine their whole goal as partisan organizations. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read. CBS Mornings June 19, 2026 07:13:00 AM Eastern GAYLE KING: The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago opens to the public today on this Juneteenth holiday. Talk about timing. The former president led Thursday's dedication ceremony calling for Americans to defend democracy. Caitlin Huey-Burns was there and she is outside the Obama center right now. Caitlin, I was there too, boy, it was such a beautiful tribute to this president. Good morning to you. CAITLIN HUEY-BURNS: And good morning to you, Gayle. I don't know about you but I was completely blown away by some of those musical performances. This event drew some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics including all the living American presidents except for one. [Cuts to video] BARACK OBAMA: Hello Chicago. HUEY-BURNS: It was a homecoming ten years and $850 million in the making. On a brilliant sunny day, the south side of Chicago officially welcomed the Obama Presidential Center. B. OBAMA: We wanted it to be a vibrant, living celebration of community. HUEY-BURNS: Joining in on the celebration, all the living former presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Joe Biden. But President Donald Trump was not invited. Former president Obama criticized his successor without mentioning him by name. B. OBAMA: A belief in the peaceful transfer of power after the people have spoken in fair and free elections. HUEY-BURNS: Obama seemed emotional as wife Michele recounted his legacy. MICHELLE OBAMA: And you did it all with such grace and class and cool that you made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park. NARRATOR: While the 500 invited guests included famous faces, a nearby park attracted an overflow crowd from near and far. AUDIENCE MEMBER: I just came all the way from Africa yesterday for this event. NARRATOR: The event honored the former president in words… MARTIN NESBITT: How y’all like my tan suit? NARRATOR: …and in song. STEVIE WONDER: ♪ Signed, sealed, and delivered. I'm yours ♪. HUEY-BURNS: Now, much of this was funded through private donations and much of the space is free to the public, including all of these gardens. But to visit this behind me you have to buy a ticket, and they're already sold out until November. The center is expecting up to a million guests per year, Gayle. KING: I know, Caitlin, I want to go back. Thank you so much. I took a tour on Wednesday, three hours, and it wasn't enough time. VLADIMIR DUTHIERS: A three-hour tour! KING: A three-hour tour, because I wanted to see and hear everything. I mean, the tickets are $30, which I think is reasonable, most of it is free. But what got me yesterday were the performances, and Michelle Obama and Barack Obama’s speeches.  We all know what great speakers they are, but I think it came flooding back to so many people, how much their words, and how powerful they are. Barack Obama said the most important words in the English language are “we”. And I think that speaks volumes for who they are and what they represent. “We”. DUTHIERS: I also loved seeing the living presidents all there— KING: Yes, yes, yes, yes. DUTHIERS: —for this opening. And the Bush Center also tweeted they were looking forward to working with the Obamas.