Donald Trump makes disturbing claim about Jesse Jackson after civil rights icon dies at 84!

The passing of the Reverend Jesse Jackson at the age of 84 marks the end of a profound chapter in American history, signaling the departure of one of the last remaining titans from the golden era of the civil rights movement. His family confirmed on Tuesday that the legendary activist, Baptist minister, and two-time presidential candidate passed away peacefully, surrounded by the warmth of his loved ones. While an official cause of death has not been released to the public, Jackson’s later years were defined by a courageous and very public battle against debilitating neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). His family’s statement painted a picture of a man whose life was defined by the concept of “servant leadership,” noting that he was a father not just to his immediate kin, but to the oppressed and the voiceless across the globe.

Born in the segregated South in 1941, Jackson’s journey from Greenville, South Carolina, to the halls of international power was nothing short of cinematic. He rose to national prominence in the 1960s as a key lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., standing on the front lines of the struggle for racial equality. Whether marching in Selma or organizing economic boycotts through Operation Breadbasket, Jackson possessed a unique ability to blend fiery oratory with pragmatic community organizing. Following the assassination of Dr. King, Jackson founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization that became a cornerstone for social justice, focusing on economic empowerment, voting rights, and the diversification of corporate America.

His political legacy is perhaps most defined by his groundbreaking runs for the presidency in 1984 and 1988. At a time when many believed a Black man could not realistically contend for the White House, Jackson defied expectations by building a “Rainbow Coalition” of voters that crossed racial, ethnic, and class lines. His 1988 campaign, in particular, was a watershed moment, as he won several state primaries and caucuses, proving that a platform centered on the needs of the marginalized could garner mainstream support. These campaigns laid the indispensable groundwork for future generations of diverse political leaders, essentially proof-testing the electoral map for the eventual rise of Barack Obama.

As news of his death rippled across the nation, tributes poured in from every corner of the political world, reflecting the immense weight of his influence. Among the most discussed reactions was a statement from President Donald Trump. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump offered a complex reflection on his long-standing acquaintance with Jackson, which dated back decades before either man held formal political aspirations. Trump praised Jackson as a “force of nature,” describing him as a man of “grit,” “street smarts,” and a “gregarious” personality who possessed a genuine love for people.

However, the former President’s tribute also veered into controversial territory, sparking intense discussion by making a specific claim regarding the relationship between Jackson and former President Barack Obama. In his post, Trump asserted that Jackson had played a pivotal role in Obama’s election—a fact he claimed went largely unacknowledged—while simultaneously alleging that Jackson “could not stand” the 44th President. This claim touches on a complicated history; while Jackson famously wept with joy in Chicago’s Grant Park on the night of Obama’s 2008 victory, he had also been caught on a “hot mic” earlier that year making disparaging remarks about then-candidate Obama’s approach to faith-based initiatives. Despite that friction, the two men maintained a public relationship rooted in mutual respect for the progress of the civil rights movement. As of now, the Obama camp has not issued a direct rebuttal to Trump’s characterization, choosing instead to focus on the broader impact of Jackson’s life’s work.

In his social media reflection, Trump also took the opportunity to highlight his own interactions with Jackson’s organization. He reminded followers that he had provided office space for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street years ago. Trump linked this history of personal cooperation to his administration’s later policies, such as the creation of Opportunity Zones, the First Step Act for criminal justice reform, and the consistent federal funding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By doing so, Trump sought to frame Jackson as a contemporary with whom he shared a pragmatic, if occasionally unconventional, professional bond.

The health struggles that preceded Jackson’s passing were significant. Since his 2017 Parkinson’s diagnosis and his later battle with PSP, Jackson’s physical presence in the public eye had diminished, though his moral voice remained sharp. PSP is a particularly aggressive neurological condition that impacts balance, speech, and swallowing, often progressing more rapidly than Parkinson’s. Despite these hurdles, Jackson remained active in the Rainbow PUSH Coalition until quite recently, transitioning the leadership to the Reverend Frederick Haynes III in 2023 to ensure the organization’s continuity.

Beyond the political theater and the headlines, Jackson’s enduring legacy is found in the statistics of American progress. During his 1984 and 1988 runs, he helped register millions of new voters, many of whom were African American, Latino, and poor white workers who had previously felt alienated from the democratic process. This surge in registration changed the electoral makeup of several Southern states and shifted the Democratic Party’s focus toward more progressive economic policies. His work in international diplomacy was equally notable, as he successfully negotiated the release of American hostages and political prisoners in countries like Syria, Cuba, and Iraq, often succeeding where formal State Department channels had stalled.

As the Rainbow PUSH Coalition prepares for a series of public memorials in Chicago, the city that served as Jackson’s home base for over half a century, the nation is forced to reckon with the void he leaves behind. He was a man who understood the power of the microphone and the pulpit, using both to demand that America live up to its founding ideals. While he was never without his critics—some of whom took issue with his occasionally divisive rhetoric or his high-profile interventionist style—there is an undeniable consensus that the landscape of American equality would look vastly different without his intervention.

The narrative of Jesse Jackson’s life is ultimately one of persistence. From the “Keep Hope Alive” mantra that defined his 1988 convention speech to his final days battling illness, he remained a tireless advocate for the “disinherited.” As the country looks toward the future, the lessons of his Rainbow Coalition remain relevant: the idea that disparate groups, when united by common economic and social interests, can fundamentally alter the course of a nation. Whether through the lens of civil rights, international diplomacy, or electoral politics, Jesse Jackson’s 84 years were a testament to the idea that one man’s voice, amplified by the cries of the many, can indeed move mountains. The upcoming services in Chicago will likely serve as both a somber farewell and a vibrant celebration of a life that was, as even his rivals admitted, a true force of nature.