The Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential civil rights leaders of our time, has passed away at the age of 84. His family confirmed that he died peacefully on Tuesday, surrounded by loved ones in Chicago.
“Our father was a servant leader—not just to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” his family shared in a heartfelt statement. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love touched millions. We ask you to honor his memory by keeping up the fight for the values he lived every day.”
Jackson had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a serious neurological condition that affects movement, balance, and swallowing, for more than a decade. He was hospitalized last November for related issues, and back in 2017, he had publicly shared his initial Parkinson’s diagnosis before it was updated.
Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson rose to prominence during the civil rights movement. He marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stood at the forefront of protests, and dedicated his life to pushing for equality and justice. He also made history as a two-time Democratic presidential candidate in 1984 and 1988, inspiring countless people with his powerful voice and vision.
Tributes have been flooding in from across the country and beyond. Among them was a post from President Donald Trump on Truth Social, where he reflected on their long acquaintance.
“The Reverend Jesse Jackson is Dead at 84. 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!” Trump wrote.
He went on to highlight ways he said he supported Jackson over the years, including providing office space for the Rainbow Coalition in his building at 40 Wall Street, helping push criminal justice reform, securing long-term funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and backing Opportunity Zones.
Trump added that despite constant accusations of racism from his critics, it was always a pleasure to assist Jackson. He described him as “a force of nature like few others before him,” and sent condolences to the family.
But the post took a notable turn when Trump claimed Jackson “had much to do with the Election, without acknowledgment or credit, of Barack Hussein Obama, a man who Jesse could not stand.”
So far, neither Barack Obama nor Jackson’s family has publicly responded to that particular remark.
Public memorial services are planned in Chicago, with more details to come from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Rest in peace, Rev. Jesse Jackson. Your legacy of fighting for what’s right will live on.