Fact Check: Are Democrats renaming Trump Tower's street to 'Barack Hussein Obama Way'?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral X post claims that Democrats are renaming the street outside Trump Tower to "Barack Hussein Obama Way."

The claim gained traction after Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly proposed giving the stretch of North Wabash Avenue outside Trump Tower an honorary designation as "Barack Hussein Obama Way," with commemorative signs to be installed near the building and the Wabash Avenue Bridge.

Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: Democrats are renaming Trump Tower's street to Barack Hussein Obama Way

The viral post from the pro-Democrat account @DemzDeliver presents the proposal as Democrats "delivering," prompting mixed reactions on X. While some users praised the move as a fitting tribute to former President Barack Obama, others criticized it as a politically motivated gesture.

The proposal surfaced around the same time as the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park, an event that President Donald Trump did not attend.

The proposal originated from an online petition that gathered more than 28,000 signatures urging Chicago officials to honor Obama in his hometown by designating the stretch of North Wabash Avenue outside Trump Tower as "Honorary Barack Hussein Obama Way."

Supporters also linked the proposal to the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. 

Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly said the honorary designation would celebrate Obama's legacy while symbolically distancing the city from Trump. He noted that the measure follows his earlier effort to remove Trump's honorary street designation several years ago.

Reilly and his supporters described the proposal as a symbolic statement reflecting Chicago's values amid ongoing political divisions.

Fact Check: False, no evidence to back the viral claim

The viral claim falsely suggests that Democrats are renaming the street outside Trump Tower. In reality, Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly introduced a proposal to designate the stretch of North Wabash Avenue outside Trump Tower as "Honorary Barack Hussein Obama Way."

The proposal has not been approved and is currently under review by the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. Even if approved, it would create only an honorary street designation and would not officially rename North Wabash Avenue or change Trump Tower's mailing address.

Reilly, a Democrat who has represented Chicago's 42nd Ward since 2007, is generally regarded as a centrist or moderate member of the party, with a focus on fiscal accountability and business interests.

He previously sponsored the removal of Donald Trump's honorary street designation and has described the Obama Way proposal as a symbolic effort to honor Obama while making a statement against the current administration.

Reilly also recently announced his campaign to challenge Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in the 2026 Democratic primary, highlighting his independent political stance.

Reports do not indicate that other Democratic officials joined Reilly in introducing the proposal. Because the measure remains under committee review and has not been approved, the claim that Democrats are renaming Trump Tower's street is misleading.