President Obama Sends Condolences To Michael Jackson’s Family, Fans

Press secretary delivers message on behalf of president.
By Jocelyn Vena

President Barack Obama (file)

Photo: Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

Although President Obama held a press conference on Friday (June 26), no one asked him for his reaction to the news of Michael Jackson’s death
on Thursday in Los Angeles. In a separate press conference, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that reporters seemed too shy to ask the president about the legendary singer — even though he is an avowed music fan — so Gibbs said that he spoke with Obama about Jackson’s passing.

“I talked to [the president] about it this morning. He said to me that obviously Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer and a music icon,” Gibbs said, according to Newsweek. “I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him moonwalk on television during Motown’s 25th anniversary. But the president also said [Jackson] had aspects of his life that were sad and tragic. And his condolences went out to the Jackson family and to the fans that mourned his loss.”

The president joins a very long list of notable figures paying tribute to the singer, including longtime friends like Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Madonna.

“I can’t stop crying; this is too sudden and shocking,” Jackson’s longtime friend and co-star in “The Wiz,” Diana Ross, told MTV News in a statement. “I am unable to imagine this. My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family.”

Madonna said in a statement, “I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”

MTV will be paying tribute to MJ throughout the weekend with music videos, exclusive performances and calls and tweets from celebrity admirers and friends.

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

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Rosalind Jengelly (2 comments) says:

July 2, 2009 at 3:09 pm

I’d forgotten something: Micheal I love you, and I’ll keep my head to the sky with a loving smile for you. PEACE BE STILL. *PrettyEyes001*.

July 2, 2009 at 2:58 pm

Thursday, July 2, 2009

To the Children and Family of Micheal Jackson:

I am a “DAY ONE” fan of MJ’s. I am STILL in disbelief over Micheal’s home-going, so I can imagine where you are with it. WORDS of loving comfort cannot convey what you are actually feeling. JUST KNOW that the “WORLD WHO LOVED AND STILL LOVES MICHEAL,” WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON UNTIL THE END OF TIME. ALL WE CARE ABOUT IS “MICHEAL JACKSON, THE ENTERTAINER and ‘KING OF POP’”, WHO BROUGHT TO US A WORLD OF LOVING EXCITEMENT.

HIS PERSONAL LIFE WAS HIS, AND “LET ANY PERSON”, CAST THE FIRST STONE IF THEY’VE NOT SINNED. I’D LOVE TO WITNESS THIS!!!! (WE KNOW the reason mainly to blame for MJ’s wrecklessness. MJ is the second part, and the celebrity world surrounding him harbors guilt as well.) I CAN GO ON but I won’t. It won’t bring him back to us.

I will remember the first time I’d laid my eyes on that adorable big brown-eyed “wonder”. I knew then, HE would become LARGER than life. GOD BLESS MOTOWN FOR GIVING US THE JACKSON 5, I would say.

Family, hold on to ALL the memories you have of this VERY GIFTED, WONDERFUL, KIND, HANDSOME, and TALENTED Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend, in your hearts. HE was this first, and Entertainer second. HE’s at PEACE because he was tired. NOW ALLOW HIM TO REST.

May our “BREAD OF LIFE”, heal your broken hearts. The calm always come after the storm, and JOY always cometh in the morning. Thank YOU Jesus!! HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!!

I will continue to keep you in my prayers and the world. Always remember that, “A family that PRAYS TOGETHER – STAYS TOGETHER.” I’m speaking to EVERYONE.

I’ve ALWAYS loved Micheal as my little brother, especially because we shared the last same name and his family, and I always will.

To the world of MJ fans, my sentiments are with you as well.

GOD BLESS US ALL!!

VERY SINCERELY,

PrettyEyes001