Trump Uses Jesse Jackson's Death To Land Yet Another Hit On Obama

The civil rights icon died peacefully Tuesday morning, his family announced.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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President Donald Trump reacted to the death of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson by paying tribute to him but then shifting his focus to criticize Democrats and former President Barack Obama. Trump claimed that Jackson 'could not stand' Obama, despite Jackson endorsing Obama in 2008.

Why it matters

Trump's statement on Jackson's death continues his pattern of making controversial and politically charged comments, even when addressing the passing of a prominent public figure. This latest incident further highlights the divisive nature of Trump's rhetoric and his willingness to use even solemn occasions to attack his political opponents.

The details

In his statement, Trump first praised Jackson as a 'good man' with 'lots of personality, grit, and street smarts.' However, he then shifted to criticizing Democrats, claiming he was 'falsely and consistently called a Racist' by them. Trump also singled out Obama, stating that Jackson 'could not stand' the former president, despite Jackson endorsing Obama in 2008. This comes after Trump previously posted a video depicting Obama and his wife Michelle as apes, which was condemned by both parties.

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson died peacefully on Tuesday morning.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who made controversial comments about Rev. Jesse Jackson and former President Barack Obama following Jackson's death.

Barack Obama

The former president of the United States whom Trump claimed Rev. Jesse Jackson 'could not stand,' despite Jackson endorsing Obama in 2008.

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A prominent civil rights leader who died peacefully on Tuesday morning at the age of 84.

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What they’re saying

“He was a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and 'street smarts.' He was very gregarious — Someone who truly loved people!”

— Donald Trump, Former President (Truth Social)

“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.”

— Donald Trump, Former President (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.”

— Donald Trump, Former President (Truth Social)

The takeaway

Trump's response to Rev. Jesse Jackson's death highlights the former president's continued willingness to make politically charged and divisive comments, even in the face of a solemn occasion. This latest incident further underscores the partisan and confrontational nature of Trump's rhetoric, which often seeks to attack his political opponents rather than unify the country.