Trump's Tribute to Jackson Quickly Turns Political
Former President Donald Trump issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the death of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, beginning with praise but swiftly pivoting to political attacks against Democrats and former President Barack Obama.
Initial Praise Followed by Partisan Criticism
On his Truth Social platform, Trump started by honoring Jackson, describing him as "a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and 'street smarts.' He was very gregarious — Someone who truly loved people!" However, the tone shifted dramatically as Trump connected Jackson's legacy to contemporary political conflicts.
"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 wrote, using Jackson's death as an opportunity to criticize Democratic opponents.
Context of Recent Controversies
This statement follows recent controversy where Trump posted a video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, which was removed after bipartisan condemnation. Trump claimed the video was uploaded by a staffer and offered no apology. The timing of his Jackson remarks adds another layer to ongoing political tensions.
Specific Criticism of Barack Obama
Trump specifically targeted Obama in his statement, asserting that Jackson "could not stand" the former president. "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," Trump wrote before concluding with condolences to Jackson's family.
Historical Tensions Between Jackson and Obama
While Jackson endorsed Obama in 2008, historical reports reveal underlying tensions. According to HuffPost's Kevin Robillard, Jackson believed Obama didn't sufficiently credit his earlier presidential campaigns for paving the way for Obama's success. In July 2008, a hot microphone captured Jackson saying he wanted to "cut [Obama's] nuts off ... for talking down to Black people" after Obama criticized absent Black fathers. Jackson later apologized for these remarks.
Jackson's Health and Passing
Jackson's family announced he "died peacefully on Tuesday morning" after long-standing health challenges. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013, his condition was later identified as progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurodegenerative disorder he was treated for during recent hospitalization. No specific cause of death was provided in the family statement.
