Jesse Jackson Obama Nuts

During a taped interview for Fox News on July 9, 2008, the Reverend Jesse Jackson reportedly said, that he wanted to "cut" Obama's "nuts off." Jackson also said that Obama was "talking down to blacks." Jackson's comments were picked up by a "hot" microphone and Jackson claims he did not know he was being recorded.¹

According to reports posted on July 16, a portion of Jackson's comments that were not aired by Fox News included the so-called "N" word.

Fast Facts

1. Date of comments: July 9, 2009
2. Comments made on Fox News
3. First aired on The O'Reilly Factor
4. Jackson reportedly did not know comments were being recorded¹
5. Subject of interview was health care
6. Jackson apologized for "crude and hurtful" remarks¹
7. Comments in reference to Obama's support for "faith-based" programs
8. Bill O'Reilly claims Jackson made other, harsher comments

Context of the Comments

Jackson made the comments during a discussion of Obama's remarks to black churchgoers. Jackson said he felt that Obama's emphasis on personal morality and faith-based programs among blacks was hurting his appeal with black voters.¹

The "N" Word

TVNewser reported on July 16 that a full transcript of Jackson's comments included the word "n—r." As was later confirmed by Fox News, the slur was used in the following context: "Barack... he's talking down to black people... telling n—rs how to behave."²

Categories