what did trump say about jesse jackson

President Donald Trump recently paid tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson following his death, calling him a "force of nature," a "good man" with "grit and street smarts," and highlighting their past collaborations.

Trump's Truth Social Post

On February 17, 2026, Trump posted on Truth Social hours after Jackson's passing, blending condolences with personal anecdotes and policy boasts. He claimed to have provided free office space to Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition at 40 Wall Street, supported criminal justice reform at Jackson's request, funded HBCUs long-term, and created Opportunity Zones for Black economic development—initiatives "no other president" pursued.

"Despite the fact that I am falsely and consistently called a Racist by the Scoundrels and Lunatics on the Radical Left, Democrats ALL, it was always my pleasure to help Jesse along the way."

Trump ended by offering sympathies to Jackson's family, noting his love for them and that "Jesse will be missed!"

Jab at Barack Obama

Trump stirred controversy by asserting Jackson "could not stand" Obama, despite crediting Jackson's 1980s campaigns with mobilizing Black voters to pave Obama's 2008 path—without "acknowledgment or credit." This mixed tribute into self-defense against racism accusations.

Historical Context

• Older clips show Jackson praising Trump for aiding Black and minority communities.

• Their relationship involved policy alignments, like reform efforts, though politically distant.

• No evidence of Trump endorsing Jackson's campaigns; interactions were pragmatic.

Public Reactions

Media called it classic Trump—tribute laced with brags and swipes. Outlets like NY Post highlighted the "powerful" praise, while Independent noted the Obama dig. Forums buzz with debates on sincerity vs. opportunism, tying to ongoing racial narrative fights.

TL;DR: Trump's post mourned Jackson positively, listed aid provided, defended his record, and claimed Jackson disliked Obama—all amid fresh 2026 news.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.