White House: Jackson ‘spectacular performer,’ but ‘sad and tragic’

President Obama recognized the late pop star Michael Jackson as both a “spectacular performer,” but also a “sad and tragic” figure, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday.

“I talked to him about it this morning,” Gibbs said at the daily White House briefing.

“He said to me that, obviously, Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon,” Gibbs told reporters. “But the president also said, you know, look, he had — aspects of his life were sad and tragic.”

Jackson passed away suddenly at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest. The pop star’s life was memorialized during House debate on the climate change bill earlier today.

“I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching — watching him moon walk on television during Motown’s 25th anniversary,” Gibbs said.

The press secretary said that the president sends his condolences to the Jackson family, but Gibbs said that Obama had not called them personally.

The networks continue to air news specials on Jackson’s death after Thursday’s specials on the pop star drew strong ratings. ABC’s “Nightline” beat its late night comedy competition Thursday by focusing on Jackson.

ABC will air a special edition of “20/20” on Friday at 9 p.m. NBC will air “Michael Jackson: King of Pop” at 10 p.m. Friday. MSNBC will air a two-hour special at 8 p.m. Friday. And CNN will air a special “CNN Presents” on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.