Barack Obama has paid a warm tribute to Jesse Jackson’s “lifetime of service” – after Donald Trump took a swipe at him in his own eulogy.
Mr Obama has credited the civil rights leader, who died on Tuesday aged 84, with laying the foundation for his own successful presidential run, and said that he and his wife, Michelle, “stand on his shoulders”.
The pair were long time friends and associates, with Reverend Jackson endorsing Mr Obama for both of his presidential campaigns.
In a statement shared to social media, Mr Obama said: “Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Rev Jesse Jackson.
“For more than 60 years, Reverend Jackson helped lead some of the most significant movements for change in human history.
“From organising boycotts and sit-ins, to registering millions of voters, to advocating for freedom and democracy around the world, he was relentless in his belief that we are all children of God, deserving of dignity and respect.
“Reverend Jackson also created opportunities for generations of African Americans and inspired countless more, including us.
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“Michelle got her first glimpse of political organizing at the Jacksons’ kitchen table when she was a teenager.
“And in his two historic runs for president, he laid the foundation for my own campaign to the highest office of the land.
“Michelle and I will always be grateful for Jesse’s lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share.
“We stood on his shoulders. We send our deepest condolences to the Jackson family, and everyone in Chicago and beyond who knew and loved him.”
US presidents of all political stripes have paid tribute to Rev Jackson, who himself ran for the Democratic presidential nomination on two occasions.
“Reverend Jackson never stopped working for a better America with brighter tomorrows,” wrote Bill and Hilary Clinton in a joint statement.
They added that their “dear friend” had “championed the concerns of Black, Latino, Asian and lower-income white Americans”.
In 2000, Mr Clinton awarded Rev Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour.
Joe Biden also described Jackson as a “man of God and of the people”.
He went on to thank the civil rights leader for his “lifetime of dedicated service and inspirational leadership”.
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Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump posted a tribute to his Truth Social platform.
He described Jackson as a “a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and ‘street smarts'”.
Mr Trump continued: “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 also took a swipe at Mr Obama, claiming that Rev Jackson had “much to do” his election, but was not acknowledged or given credit.
Mr Trump added that Rev Jackson “could not stand” Mr Obama.
Born in Greenville, North Carolina, the son of a single, teenage mother, Rev Jackson grew up in a deeply segregated southern community.
He went on to become one of the leading figures in the civil rights movement, and was even pictured with Reverend Martin Luther King the day before he was killed.
Rev King’s daughter, Bernice, shared an image of the pair to social media alongside the caption: “Both now ancestors”.
Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton said: “He was a consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world. He shaped public policy and changed laws.
“He kept the dream alive, and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits.”
Tributes also came in from politicians and leading figures on this side of the pond.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy described Jackson as a “pillar of the civil rights movement”.
He also shared a story about how Jackson had called him after the 2011 riots to offer support.
Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott shared a picture of the pair after she was first elected in 1987.
The Mother of the House said: “He was very smart, warm and hugely charismatic.”
Sky News’ Trevor Phillips also shared a touching tribute, in which he said Jackson’s “sheer audacity made change beyond just civil rights”.
