2-Time Presidential Candidate, Dies at 84 – See What Trump Said

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death at 84 closed a 60-year chapter of civil rights activism, leaving America to ponder if his multiracial coalitions can endure without his magnetic voice.

Story Snapshot

Passed away in October 2024 at age 84 after battling Parkinson’s disease diagnosed in 2017.
Two-time Democratic presidential candidate in 1984 and 1988, proving Black political power with millions of votes.
Founded Operation PUSH and Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, blending economic justice with civil rights.
Present at Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1968 assassination, bridging eras of activism.
International diplomat who freed hostages and fought global poverty.

Early Life in Jim Crow South Shapes Activist

Jesse Louis Burns entered the world on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, amid Jim Crow segregation. He endured daily humiliations that fueled his resolve. At North Carolina A&T State University, Jackson plunged into civil rights sit-ins and protests. Ordination as a Baptist minister fused his faith with action. This foundation propelled him into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s orbit. Common sense reveals how such origins forged unyielding determination against systemic barriers.

Key Moments Elevate National Profile

Mid-1960s saw Jackson join the Southern Christian Leadership Conference under King. He stood in Memphis on April 4, 1968, when assassins struck King down, catapulting Jackson to prominence. He launched Operation Breadbasket in 1966 to pressure businesses for Black economic gains. By 1971, Operation PUSH demanded corporate accountability. These steps showcased grassroots muscle. His presence at King’s side cemented successor status, though rivalries simmered within the movement.

Presidential Bids Reshape Politics

Jackson mounted his 1984 presidential run, the first serious Black candidacy, securing 3.3 million votes and 21 delegates. Four years later, 1988 brought 6.7 million votes and 92 delegates, topping several primaries. These campaigns unveiled African American voting clout and multiracial alliances via the Rainbow Coalition, founded that decade. Merged with PUSH in 1996, it amplified voices long ignored. Critics debate tactics, but facts affirm his bids expanded Democratic coalitions enduring today.

Global missions defined Jackson’s reach. He negotiated hostage releases in Syria and Cuba, confronting dictators directly. Humanitarian trips tackled famine in Ethiopia and apartheid in South Africa. This diplomacy extended civil rights abroad, earning respect despite risks. Wife Jacqueline Brown Jackson partnered through these ventures, bolstering family resolve.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Leader and 2-Time Presidential Candidate, Dies at 84 https://t.co/Pd2UBUGvP0

— Marlow62 (@Marlow3456) February 17, 2026

Health Struggles Test Resilience

November 2017 brought Parkinson’s diagnosis public. Jackson persisted with speeches and marches against police brutality and for voting rights. He witnessed segregation’s fall to Barack Obama’s 2008 victory, adapting to new fights like economic inequality. Controversies shadowed him—personal scandals and governance critiques—but core constituencies revered his tenacity. American conservative values prize such perseverance amid adversity.

Legacy Endures Through Institutions

October 2024 marked Jackson’s passing at 84, sparking nationwide tributes. Rainbow/PUSH persists under new leaders, pushing economic justice and voter mobilization. Memorials, scholarships, and archives preserve his story. Historians hail him as the bridge from 1960s marches to modern activism. While some question organizational transparency, his innovations in coalition-building align with common-sense community empowerment. Future activists inherit his blueprint.