Trump claims partial credit for Jesse Jackson’s success in self-pitying rant

President Donald Trump took to social media Tuesday to lament the death of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, while at the same time claiming partial credit for his success in advancing racial equality.

The Truth Social post then attacked the nation's first Black president, Barack Obama.

“It was always my pleasure to help Jesse along the way. I provided office space for him and his Rainbow Coalition, for years, in the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

“[I] responded to his request for help in getting CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM passed and signed, when no other President would even try; Single handedly pushed and passed long term funding for Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), which Jesse loved, but also, which other Presidents would not do; Responded to Jesse’s support for Opportunity Zones, the single most successful economic development package yet approved for Black business men/women, and much more.”

In the post, Trump complained about being “called a racist” by Democrats, attempting to counter the accusation by citing what he described as his long record of support for Jackson, who he called a “good man” with “street smarts.”

Yet, despite his praise, Trump also appeared to blame Jackson, in part, for the election of former President Barack Obama.
“He had much to do with the Election, without acknowledgment or credit, of Barack Hussein Obama, a man who Jesse could not stand,” Trump wrote. “He loved his family greatly, and to them I send my deepest sympathies and condolences. Jesse will be missed!”