Trump slams Obama for turning Jesse Jackson’s funeral into ‘political hit job’

Barack Obama warned of threats to democracy during Jesse Jackson’s funeral speech in Chicago, saying it is becoming harder for Americans to hope
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
Donald Trump accused Barack Obama of politicizing Jesse Jackson’s funeral (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Getty Images)
Donald Trump accused Barack Obama of politicizing Jesse Jackson’s funeral (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Getty Images)


HEBRON, KENTUCKY: President Donald Trump is revisiting what unfolded during the funeral of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, where several Democratic figures took aim at the administration.

Trump particularly skewered former President Barack Obama, accusing him of politicizing the memorial ceremony. He also pointed to remarks from Jesse Jackson Jr, whose fiery speech criticized Democrats for turning his father’s funeral into a political moment.

Trump blasts Obama over Jesse Jackson funeral speech

President Donald Trump speaks on stage at Verst Logistics on March 11, 2026 in Hebron, Kentucky. Verst Logistics handles packaging, shrink sleeve labeling, and transportation management for various brands (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks on stage at Verst Logistics on March 11, 2026 in Hebron, Kentucky. Verst Logistics handles packaging, shrink sleeve labeling, and transportation management for various brands (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

During the Kentucky midterm rally on March 11, Trump criticized Obama while recalling events surrounding the funeral of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.

Trump alleged that Obama turned the memorial into a political moment, saying, “Hussein Obama. He went to Jesse Jackson’s funeral. He spoke, and it was like a political hit job.”

Trump went on to claim that Jackson’s family was upset over the speech, adding, “and the family of Jesse Jackson got angry as hell at him.”



He further asserted that tensions between the two were well known, saying, “Because they understand they hated each other. You know, it was there, but?” 

Trump then described what he said he observed afterward, “I loved watching that. The family goes outside, and they start screaming at him.” 

He concluded by linking the moment to broader criticism of Democrats, adding, “A short time ago under Joe Biden and his allies in Hussein Obama.”

Obama takes aim at Trump during funeral speech



Barack Obama took aim at the Trump administration during a speech at the funeral of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson in Chicago on March 6, without directly naming it.

Speaking at the star-studded service, which also featured speeches from former Presidents Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, as well as civil rights figures like the Rev Al Sharpton, Obama reflected on the challenges facing democracy today.

“We are living in a time when it can be hard to hope,” Obama said. “Each day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions. Another setback the idea of the rule of law. An offense to common decency.”

He continued, "Every day you wake up to things you just didn’t think were possible. Each day, we’re told by those in high office to fear each other, and to turn on each other. And that some Americans count more than others. And that some don’t even count at all. Everywhere we see greed and bigotry being celebrated and bullying and mocker masquerading as strength.”

He added that “it’s hard to hope in those moments,” but praised Jackson as a source of inspiration: “This man, Rev Jesse Jackson, inspires us to take a harder path. His voice calls on each of us to be heralds of change, to be messengers of hope. ”

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Jake Paul went viral after criticizing Bad Bunny’s halftime show as 'un-American' and urging viewers to turn off the broadcast in protest
8 minutes ago
Bernie Sanders also pointed to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, noting that 570 people have been killed and 750,000 displaced in less than two weeks
16 minutes ago
Trump said US strikes weakened Iran’s military and missile capabilities, arguing the limited campaign is preventing a broader conflict
32 minutes ago
Donald Trump said US agencies are monitoring sleeper networks and threats linked to Iran after the US–Israel operation that killed Ali Khamenei
1 hour ago
Trump revealed that at least 20 name suggestions came before he finalized ‘Operation Epic Fury’
1 hour ago
Leavitt argued that Trump and senior officials have consistently communicated the same objectives for the military campaign.
1 hour ago
Newsom posted a clip of Trump’s Kentucky rally remarks on X and replied 'too late,' after the president questioned his ability to read speeches
1 hour ago
Trump said US strikes destroyed thousands of Iranian missiles, drones and mine-laying ships during 'Operation Epic Fury'
1 hour ago
President Donald Trump said the Iran war could end 'any time I want,' claiming most targets are destroyed and Tehran has little left militarily
1 hour ago
Federal intelligence alert reviewed by ABC News warned of potential retaliatory strikes against the West Coast launched from vessels at sea
6 hours ago