Trump Pays Tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson
On February 17, 2026, President Donald Trump shared a heartfelt tribute on Truth Social, remembering the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader who had recently passed away at 84. Describing Jackson, Trump noted he was “a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and ‘street smarts.’”
“The Reverend Jesse Jackson is Dead at 84,” Trump stated. “I knew him well, long before becoming President. He was a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and ‘street smarts.’ He was very gregarious — Someone who truly loved people!”
Reverend Jackson had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative condition akin to Parkinson’s disease but which typically progresses more swiftly. Initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017, his diagnosis changed to PSP in April 2025, leading to a decline in mobility, balance, and other vital functions.
An important figure in the civil rights movement, Jackson was deeply involved in protests as a student at North Carolina A&T, helping lead demonstrations that contributed to the desegregation of various public spaces in the early 1960s. He later became a close ally of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., joining the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and marching for voting rights during the pivotal Selma to Montgomery campaign in 1965.
“Reverend Jackson’s fearless leadership brought attention to issues of racial discrimination, economic and gender inequality, social injustice, healthcare, education, and peace-building—earning him recognition as a true humanitarian and world leader,” said Jackson’s Coalition following his passing.
Trump and Jackson enjoyed a friendly rapport when Trump was a real estate developer and Jackson was advocating for civil rights. For years, Trump offered free office space to Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition at his building in Manhattan, which Jackson publicly appreciated. In fact, at a 1999 event, Jackson called Trump a “friend” who was committed to minority hiring initiatives.
“Despite being unfairly labeled as a racist by left-leaning critics, I always took pleasure in helping Jesse along the way,” Trump remarked.
Furthermore, Trump noted his efforts to support Jackson’s calls for criminal justice reform and funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), emphasizing how previous presidents had not prioritized these issues.
“Jesse was a force of nature like few others before him,” Trump added, referencing Jackson’s influence on the election of Barack Obama, a presidency Jackson had mixed feelings about.
Political analysts suggest that Jackson’s presidential bids in the 1980s opened doors for future minority candidates and encouraged the Democratic Party toward greater inclusivity, helping to mobilize previously disenfranchised Black voters.
Even though Jackson initially supported Obama, tensions arose during the 2008 campaign when he was overheard criticizing Obama for his remarks to the Black community. Yet, Obama acknowledged Jackson’s contributions in a tribute, saying he “stood on Jesse’s shoulders” to achieve his presidency.
Trump expressed his condolences to Jackson’s family, who described him as a “servant leader.” They shared that he passed peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by loved ones, and highlighted his unwavering commitment to justice and human rights.
“He was a tireless change agent, elevated the voices of the voiceless — from his presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing to register to vote — leaving an indelible mark on history,” the family noted. “Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.”
