Donald Trump has paid tribute to the Rev Jesse Jackson following the civil rights leader’s death, describing him as a longtime associate and inspiration. But the relationship between the two men was complex, stretching from cooperation in New York business circles to sharp political disagreement on the national stage.
Jackson died on on Tuesday at the age of 84. Announcing his passing, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.”
Trump’s tribute
In a post on Truth Social hours after Jackson’s death, Trump wrote: “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!”
He added that he had supported Jackson’s organisation for years by providing office space in Manhattan and shared many old pictures with hum. “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, saying Jackson was given space “for years, in the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street.”
Trump also credited Jackson’s advocacy with influencing some of his own policies. “Responded to his request for help in getting CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM passed and signed, when no other President would even try; Single handedly pushed and passed long term funding for Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), which Jesse loved, other Presidents would not do,” he wrote. “Responded to Jesse’s support for Opportunity Zones, the single most successful economic development package yet approved for Black businessmen/women, and much more. Jesse was a force of nature like few others before him.”
Early collaboration
Long before Trump entered politics, the two men crossed paths in New York. In the 1990s, Trump provided office space to Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition. At a 1999 press conference, Jackson referred to Trump as a “friend” and said, “in terms of reaching out and being inclusive, he's done that, too.”
Trump, speaking at the same event, joked about Jackson’s negotiating skills. “Jesse started off by saying, ‘most of the wealth in this country is in the hands of a few.’ And I thought to myself: is that a bad thing?” he said, drawing laughs. He added: “He's a very tough negotiator ... Nah, he's a terrific guy. We love him, and I'm here for him.”
Political split
Their relationship changed once Trump entered politics. During the 2016 presidential race, Jackson endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Speaking to Bloomberg Television that year, Jackson described Trump as “affable and social” in earlier years but criticised his campaign positions.
“These ideas are not just conservative, they are somewhat way off the main line. They could destabilize the country,” Jackson said, referring to Trump’s policies on immigration, foreign affairs and healthcare. He declined to label Trump a racist, saying he did not want to make the campaign about “branding.”
In 2020, Jackson endorsed veteran leader Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary.
Jackson and Obama
Trump’s recent tribute also claimed Jackson helped elect Barack Obama, “a man who Jesse could not stand.” Jackson had publicly supported Obama, although he did make critical remarks during the 2008 campaign that he later apologised for, saying he believed they were off the record.
Obama also paid tribute to Jackson in a post on X:
Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We will always be grateful for Jesse's lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share. We stood on his shoulders. We send our deepest condolences to the Jackson… pic.twitter.com/Q68r4IJt9U— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 17, 2026
After Obama’s victory in 2008, Jackson was visibly emotional. “We are a better America today,” he told CBS. “America is a work in progress, and last night we saw that that work in a most magnificent way expressed.”
Over decades, Jackson remained one of the most prominent Black leaders in America, a two time presidential candidate and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
