Jesse Louis Jackson, one of the foremost figures in the civil rights movement, passed away at the age of 84. Three Democrat Presidents, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, led the way in paying tribute to a titan of American history. Controversial President Donald Trump also posted about Jackson’s death, but the post quickly turned political.
Tributes pour in for Jesse Jackson after his death
Jesse Jackson, protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and James Bevel during the civil rights movement, was one of the leading figures of the civil rights movement. He was also a vocal critic of police brutality, the Republican Party, and conservative policies.
After living a life that inspired generations, Jackson died at his home on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. His family announced his death on social media. Soon after, multiple prominent figures of the country stepped in to pay their respects to the figure.
“Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson,” former President Barack Obama posted on Instagram, along with a picture of him, Michelle, and Jackson. “For more than 60 years, Reverend Jackson helped lead some of the most significant movements for change in human history.”
Joe Biden also paid tribute to Jackson in a post on Instagram. In his story, Biden called Jackson “a man of God and of the people.” Biden added, “I’ve seen how Reverend Jackson has helped lead our Nation forward through tumult and triumph. He’s done it with optimism, and a relentless insistence on what is right and just.”
Bill Clinton expressed that he and Hilary were “deeply saddened” by the passing of Jackson. “[He] never stopped working for a better America with brighter tomorrows, including his historic campaigns for the presidency in 1984 and 1988 in which he championed the concerns of Black, Latino, Asian, and lower income white Americans,” Clinton wrote, “Hillary and I loved him very much.”
Other prominent figures like Al Sharpton, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Raphael Warnock, Bernice King, and Bernie Sanders also paid tribute to Jackson.
President Donald Trump also wrote about Jackson’s death on Truth Social. The President called Jackson a ” good man” and a “friend.” However, Trump also wrote a couple of controversial things on the post that have turned the debate political.
