What to Know
If you’re one of many who didn’t even expect Donald Trump to acknowledge Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death on Feb. 17, 2026, don’t worry, because he did it in a way that is very on brand for Mr. President. In a Truth Social post that was then shared on X (formerly Twitter) and discussed by Trump critics, Trump paid homage to Jackson, in a way, but also used the opportunity to snub Barack Obama.
We just can’t have nice things, can we? Trump also wrote in his post about Jackson and his death to share how he helped Jackson with the Rainbow Coalition during Jackson’s career as a politician and activist. He literally could have left it at that and his post wouldn’t have been that bad, if only narcissistic, which is pretty low on the scale of awful things Trump does and says. But then he brought Obama’s name into the mix.
Donald Trump used Jesse Jackson’s death to make accusations about Barack Obama.
Donald Trump takes time during acknowledging the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson to take jabs at Obama.
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) February 17, 2026
Bro is obsessed with him.
This is also giving me “I’m not a racist because I had a Black friend” vibes.
What a vile man. pic.twitter.com/yI3FGw4b8l
Never one to pass up a moment to talk trash on people who have nothing to do with him or his political aspirations, Trump wrote in his Truth Social post that Jackson “could not stand” Obama. He also gave himself credit to helping Jackson along the way, despite there being little evidence in Jackson’s career of Trump being such a crucial part of his biggest wins.
“I knew him well, long before becoming president,” Trump wrote in his post. “He was a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and ‘street smarts.’ He was very gregarious — someone who truly loved people! 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.”
He wrote that the “help” he provided was “long-term funding for historically Black colleges and universities,” which, Trump claimed, was not done by a president before him.
Trump added, “Jesse was a force of nature like few others before him. He had much to do with the election, without acknowledgement or credit, of Barack Hussein Obama, a man who Jesse could not stand.”
If Trump is going to bring up Obama, people are going to compare them.
When the post was shared on X, Trump’s critics were quick with their assessment of his post. Most found Trump’s attempt at sharing condolences about Jackson to be as littered with conceited anecdotes as he could have gotten without being more obvious.
“Yeah he can’t stand Obama was a better president and there’s no proof Rev. Jackson didn’t like Obama!” One user commented. “He’s lying as usual and making someone’s death about him! Disgraceful!”
Someone else pointed out, “Obama lives rent free in this man’s head. Obama will always be loved and admired. Trump will be hated and despised forever.” Clock it.
Most were quick to call out Trump for making things about himself, though that’s kind of expected at this point. Some commended Trump for “trolling” Democrats and the left, but his post reads more like a pat on his own back than any cheeky trolling.
“I [love] how he talks about what HE did for Jesse,” another user commented on the X post. “Just say RIP and keep it moving man.”
