Civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84, his family confirmed. Tributes quickly poured in from across the nation, including a statement from President Donald Trump that drew attention for both praise and controversy. In a family statement, Jackson was remembered as a lifelong servant leader who dedicated his life to justice, equality, and uplifting the voiceless. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. A cause of death was not immediately announced.

Jackson had lived for years with progressive supranuclear palsy, a serious neurological condition, and had also revealed a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2017. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson became a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, working closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and later running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.

His activism and advocacy left a lasting impact on American society. Public memorial events are expected to take place in Chicago, with further details to be announced. Among those paying tribute was Donald Trump, who described Jackson as a “good man” with personality and strength, recalling their long acquaintance and cooperation on various initiatives.

However, Trump also made a controversial claim, suggesting Jackson had not been a supporter of former President Barack Obama. Neither Obama nor Jackson’s family responded publicly to the remark. As tributes continue, many are reflecting on Jackson’s decades-long fight for civil rights, social justice, and equality — a legacy that influenced generations and helped shape modern American history.