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By Jesus Mesa and Gabe Whisnant
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Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said Tuesday they were saddened by the death of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, calling him a towering figure in the fight for civil rights and social justice.
In a statement, the Obamas said Jackson spent more than six decades helping lead movements that expanded political participation, challenged inequality and promoted human dignity in the United States and abroad.
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Why It Matters
Jackson was a leading figure in the civil rights movement and worked alongside Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
He continued his activism after King's assassination in 1968, an event at which Jackson was present, and established what would become the Rainbow PUSH Coalition to advance civil rights and social justice.
Twice in the 1980s, Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, losing out both times, but not without having a major impact on the party's politics.
Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson's Relationship: What to Know
Obama’s relationship with Jackson reflected both generational change and shared roots in the civil rights movement. Jackson endorsed Obama during the 2008 campaign, and later wept openly on election night. The moment was widely seen as linking the civil rights era with a new generation of Black political leadership.
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The relationship also included moments of tension. During the campaign, Jackson criticized Obama for what he saw as too little focus on issues affecting Black Americans. He was later caught on a hot microphone making crude remarks about the then senator and apologized. Obama accepted the apology, and Jackson reaffirmed his support, calling Obama’s candidacy the result of decades of struggle.
Despite disagreements, Obama has credited Jackson with expanding Black political participation and helping lay the groundwork for his rise.
Jesse Jackson's Relationship with Donald Trump
In contrast to Jackson’s historically significant bond with Obama, his relationship with Donald Trump proved far less predictable and ultimately more contentious.
In 1999, when Trump briefly explored a presidential bid on the Reform Party ticket, Jackson offered positive remarks about him, praising his business record and willingness to engage with minority communities. Those comments later resurfaced as Trump sought to highlight past praise from prominent Black leaders and counter racism accusations.
But the tone changed sharply in the years that followed. As Trump entered politics as a Republican and later won the presidency in 2016, Jackson became a vocal critic. He condemned Trump’s positions on immigration, voting rights and race, arguing that the administration’s policies harmed the very communities Jackson had spent decades advocating for.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: "Jesse was a force of nature like few others before him. He had much to do with the Election, without acknowledgment or credit, of Barack Hussein Obama, a man who Jesse could not stand."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris posted on X: Reverend Jesse Jackson was one of America’s greatest patriots. He spent his life summoning all of us to fulfill the promise of America and building the coalitions to make that promise real.
**Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement: “**We were friends for almost fifty years since we met in 1977 at the 20th anniversary of the integration of Little Rock Central High. … Reverend Jackson championed human dignity and helped create opportunities for countless people to live better lives. Throughout it all, he kept marching to the music of his conscience, his convictions, and his causes.”
Former President Joe Biden posted on X: “Reverend Jackson believed in his bones the promise of America: that we are all created equal in the image of God and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. While we’ve never fully lived up to that promise, he dedicated his life to ensuring we never fully walked away from it either.”
What Happens Next
As of Tuesday, funeral arrangements for Jackson have not been publicly announced.
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