President Trump reacts to Jesse Jackson’s passing.

Jesse Jackson Passes Away at 84

Jesse Jackson, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition, died on Tuesday morning at the age of 84.

Former President Trump reflected on Jackson’s legacy and their unexpectedly close collaboration.

“He played a significant role in the election of Barack Obama, a person Jesse had little respect for, yet he went unrecognized for it,” Trump remarked.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump remembered the civil rights leader as a “good guy” with “street smarts.”

“Rev. Jesse Jackson has passed away at the age of 84. I knew him well before he became president. He was a remarkable man filled with personality, determination, and street smarts. He loved people and was incredibly sociable. I was always willing to assist Jesse, despite being wrongly labeled a racist by extreme leftists and the entire Democratic Party,” Trump said.

Trump recounted his support for Jackson throughout the years, especially during his presidency.

“For many years, I offered office space to him and his Rainbow Coalition at the Trump Building on Wall Street. I responded to his requests concerning criminal justice reform that no other president would even consider. While Jesse might have preferred to handle it himself, I was the only one who got it done. He also championed long-term funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which had previously gone unsupported. Plus, he backed Opportunity Zones—perhaps the most effective economic development initiative for Black entrepreneurs,” Trump added.

“Jesse was, like many influential figures before him, a force of nature. He was actively involved in Obama’s election, even though he wasn’t a supporter, and didn’t receive credit for it. He cared deeply for his family, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to them. Jesse will be missed!”

Jackson is often viewed as a successor to Martin Luther King Jr. within the civil rights movement. He also ran for president in 1984 and 1988.

The announcement of his “peaceful” passing was shared on the Rainbow Coalition’s official website on Tuesday morning.

“Our father was a servant leader, not just to his family, but to the oppressed and overlooked worldwide,” the Jackson family stated. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His steadfast belief in justice and equality elevated millions. We encourage everyone to honor his memory by continuing to fight for the values he upheld.”

According to the family’s statement, Pastor Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, their children (Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, and Jacqueline), and his daughter Ashley Jackson, who was born from an affair with Karyn Stanford in 1999. She is one of his five children.