‘Strong, the dad jokes are’: Watch Mark Hamill of ‘Star Wars’ team with Barack Obama to promote ‘Death Star’ presidential library
On what has become known as “Star Wars” Day – as in May the Fourth be with you – actor Mark Hamill who famously portrayed Luke Skywalker in the blockbuster film has teamed with Barack Obama in two videos promoting the opening of the former president’s library which many have suggested looks like the Death Star from the movie franchise.
In one video titled “Hear Me,” Hamill is seen using the Force to communicate with Obama, with text reading: A short time from now on the South Side of Chicago … .”
Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center available May 6. @BarackObama @MarkHamill pic.twitter.com/z9MUJqQMBD
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) May 4, 2026
“Hear me, hear me,” Hamill, 74, says as Obama, 64, glances upward with a confused look. “President Obama, President Obama.”
As Obama finally recognizes Hamill’s voice permeating the Obama Center, he says, “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 responds, with the answer being May 6 for ticket sales and the library opening on June 19.
In the second video Obama tells Hamill: “Mark, I am glad you are here. I want to tell you about someone.”
“A young person born into ordinary circumstances but restless, unsatisfied. A kid with big dreams. A bit of a rebel.”
“They join a scrappy group of underdogs and set out to change things,” the ex-president continues.
Hamill guesses: “By blowing up a giant space laser?!”
If the Death Star was shaped like a garbage can. https://t.co/UGy4q1TX7S
— AmericasWiseGuy (@AmericasWiseGuy) May 4, 2026
“Mark, this is not about you, as wonderful as you are,” Obama explains. “This is about them. This isn’t a monument to my legacy. It’s a gateway to yours.”
He pitches the center as “much more than a museum. It is an entire campus built to empower you. A place to come together, get inspired, and become a Force – for change,” he adds, before asking Hamill, “See what I did there?”
“Strong, the dad jokes are,” Hamill voices in an impression of Yoda.
Former Obama White House adviser Valerie Jarrett said in March that President Donald Trump has not been invited to the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center.
Jarrett said: “This is really a chance for us to celebrate with the people who joined President Obama on this journey, the ordinary people who did the extraordinary things. So, no, but I will say, I hasten to add, that after we open to the public, should President Trump want to come and tour the center, President Obama would be delighted for him to do so.”
Online commenters created plenty of fresh memes for Obama’s new library, including:
Visit the Obama Presidential Center.
May the 4th be with you! pic.twitter.com/vjeAxtSGjI
— Tard Slapper (@TardSlapper) May 4, 2026
Barry & his frog looking sidekick begged for the laughs https://t.co/8MI7A5gskX
— Red Bone (@BambBeeker) May 4, 2026
@BarackObama pic.twitter.com/i3rHnSAgtS
— RubiconJay (@rubiconjay) May 4, 2026
He should have teamed up with Sauron. pic.twitter.com/gQGpgZosNx
— His Royal Majesty, The Alpha Cow (@Marcus_Porcius2) May 4, 2026
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