Watch President Obama’s Farewell Address
Barack Obama returns to Chicago to give the farewell address of his presidency Tuesday evening at McCormick Place. All major networks will be broadcasting the speech, which begins 9 p.m. ET. The White House is also offering a live stream of his remarks that you can watch above or on its official Facebook page.
With President-elect Trump urging Republicans to immediately repeal the Affordable Care Act – Obama’s signature domestic achievement that’s provided health care access to millions – many expect the president to make his final appeal about preserving his achievements.
Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder will reportedly perform before the president’s speech, joined by the Chicago Children’s Choir.
Obama has said that after he leaves the White House he will remain vocal about issues of importance to him, such as Trump’s proposed (and unconstitutional) Muslim registry and immigration reform. As Obama joked to The Daily Show host Trevor Noah during an interview that aired in December, “It’s not my intention to be the old man at the bar who’s just kind of hanging on. But I don’t anticipate that I’ll suddenly vanish.”
Obama will be the 10th president to give an official farewell speech, joining Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who all said goodbye to the country before leaving office.