President Donald Trump reacted Tuesday to the death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson by attacking Democrats and former President Barack Obama.

Trump began his statement by paying tribute to Jackson.

“He was a good man, with a lot of personality, determination and ‘street smarts’. He was very sociable – someone who really loved people!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

However, soon after, the president shifted his focus toward Democrats and used Jackson’s death to tear the party apart.

“Despite being falsely and constantly called a racist by the scoundrels and lunatics of the radical left, ALL Democrats, it was always my pleasure to help Jesse along the way,” Trump wrote.

This comes after the president came under fire for posting a video showing former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, as apes. The video was removed following condemnation from both sides of the aisle. Trump did not apologize for posting the video and claimed it was uploaded by a staff member.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters Monday aboard Air Force One en route to Washington from West Palm Beach, Florida.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters Monday aboard Air Force One en route to Washington from West Palm Beach, Florida.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

In his statement Tuesday, Trump singled out Barack Obama, saying Jackson “couldn’t stand him.”

“Jesse was a force of nature like few before him. He had a lot to do with the election, without recognition or credit, of Barack Hussein Obama, a man Jesse could not stand,” Trump said. “He loved his family very much and I send them my deepest condolences and condolences. Jesse will be missed!”

While Jackson endorsed Obama in 2008, Jackson’s friends told reporters that the two-time presidential candidate thought Obama didn’t give him enough credit for the way his two campaigns paved the way for Obama’s successful career, News themezone’s Kevin Robillard previously reported.

In July 2008, a hot microphone on News caught Jackson saying he wanted to “cut [Obama’s] “I went crazy… for putting down black people” after Obama chastised absent black fathers in one of his speeches. Jackson apologized for the comment.

Jackson “died peacefully Tuesday morning,” his family announced.

While the statement did not mention the cause of death, Jackson had been experiencing health problems for some time. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013. His diagnosis changed to progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurodegenerative disorder for which he received treatment during his recent hospitalization.