US President Donald Trump praised the Rev. Jesse Jackson as a “real hero” at a Black History Month event at the White House on Wednesday, just a day after the civil rights activist’s death and less than two weeks after controversy raged over a racist video targeting the Obamas.
“We celebrate Black History Month. We honor the memory of those who came before us by continuing their legacy,” Trump said at an event marking the 100th anniversary of the observatory, which began in February 1926.
Trump’s comments, which called Jackson a “job” but a “good person,” drew cheers from attendees at a White House event hosted by black community leaders.
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“I wanted to start by expressing my sadness that the man he was has died. I knew very well that Jesse was a piece of work. He was a piece of work. But he was a good man. He was a true hero,” Trump said at the event.
The US president has named prominent African-Americans among his supporters, including boxing icon Mike Tyson, whom he praised for defending him against accusations of racism, and rapper Nicki Minaj, whose skin he praised as “so beautiful” when he commented on how long her nails were.
But when it came to African-Americans making history, there was no mention of Barack or Michelle Obama – the first black president and first lady in US history. Even the US president did not address the controversial video, which sparked bipartisan outrage weeks ago.
Trump also brought out several members of his administration, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner and White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson, who said, “Don’t let anyone tell you that this president here, Donald Trump, is not for Black America. Because he is.”
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The action takes place in the shadow of racism
The US president’s comments and omissions at the event came less than two weeks after Democrats and Republicans alike condemned a video posted on Trump’s Truth Social handle depicting the Obamas as monkeys.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump’s flurry of activity on Truth Social, which included 12 individual posts with photos and a long piece of text, seemed to suggest he couldn’t be racist because he helped Jackson.
“I knew him well, long before I became president. He was a good man with a lot of personality, grit and ‘street smarts,'” Trump wrote. “Despite the fact that I am falsely and consistently called Racists and lunatics from the radical left, Democrats ALL, it has always been my pleasure to help Jesse along the way.”
In detailing the ways he helped Jackson, Trump also took time to take a jab at Barack Obama, “the man Jesse couldn’t stand.”
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Trump’s sudden mention of Obama in a post condoling Jackson’s death came days after the former US president questioned the racist video, condemned what he called a “clown show” and lamented the office’s lack of “shame” and “respect” without directly naming Trump.
In the now-deleted video, which was shared on Trump’s Truth Social account on February 5, the Obamas were shown with their faces on the bodies of monkeys for about one second.
The video went viral in no time and sparked disbelief across the US political spectrum, while the White House, which initially dismissed it as a “fake outrage”, blamed the post on a staff error.
Meanwhile, Trump has refused to apologize, insisting he made “no mistake.”
According to polls by Desk Decisions headquarters, 73.8% of African-Americans disapprove of Trump, while 22.7% approve.