Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Jesse Jackson

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Jesse Jackson.

Jesse Jackson is a prominent American civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister. He rose to prominence as a protege of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement and has remained a leading voice for civil rights for over seven decades. Jackson served as a shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He is the father of former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and current U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson. Jackson's career reflects a blend of activism, political engagement, and religious leadership in the pursuit of social justice.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination

On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Jesse Jackson was present and gave conflicting accounts.

December 1971: Falling Out with Abernathy

In December 1971, Jesse Jackson had a falling out with Ralph Abernathy, leading to Jackson's suspension from Operation Breadbasket.

1975: Endorsement of Abortion Ban

In 1975, Jesse Jackson endorsed a plan for a constitutional amendment banning abortion. He also endorsed the Hyde Amendment, which bars the funding of abortions through the federal Medicaid program.

1977: Arguments Against Roe v. Wade

In a 1977 National Right to Life Committee News report, Jesse Jackson argued that the basis for Roe v. Wade—the right to privacy—had also been used to justify slavery and the treatment of slaves on the plantations. Jackson decried what he believed was the casual taking of life and the decline in society's values.

1983: Boycott Against Anheuser-Busch

In 1983, Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH led a boycott against Anheuser-Busch.

1984: Remarks to a black Washington Post Reporter

In 1984 Jackson made controversial statements about Jewish people.

1984: Addressed Democratic National Convention

In 1984, Jesse Jackson addressed the Democratic National Convention, offering an apology for past comments and emphasizing the need for unity within the party.

1984: Jackson's "Hymietown" Controversy

In 1984, Jesse Jackson was criticized for referring to Jews as "Hymies" and New York City as "Hymietown" in remarks to a reporter, leading to controversy and a rift with the Jewish community.

November 1987: Challenges to Nomination

In November 1987, Jesse Jackson faced skepticism from political analysts regarding his chances of securing the Democratic nomination, due in part to racial biases and his liberal political views. Allegations about his half-brother's criminal activities also posed a challenge to his campaign.

1987: Jackson Attempts to Improve Relationship with Jewish Community

According to a 1987 New York Times article, Jesse Jackson began attempting to improve his relationship with the Jewish community after the controversy in 1984.

1989: Regier's paper

In 1989, Jerry Regier co-authored a paper that endorsed spanking to the point of bruises and welts and opposed married women having careers.

1998: Jackson Brothers Chosen by Anheuser-Busch

In 1998, Yusef and Jonathan Jackson were chosen by Anheuser-Busch to head River North Sales.

1998: Opposition to Clinton's Impeachment

In 1998, during Clinton's impeachment inquiry, Jesse Jackson explained his opposition to Clinton's removal from office.

April 1999: Negotiated Release of U.S. POWs in Belgrade

In April 1999, during the Kosovo War, Jesse Jackson traveled to Belgrade and negotiated with Slobodan Milošević for the release of three U.S. POWs. This negotiation was not sanctioned by the Clinton administration.

May 1999: Birth of Daughter Ashley

In May 1999, Jesse Jackson had an affair with Karin Stanford, which resulted in the birth of a daughter named Ashley.

August 1999: Rainbow Push Coalition Pays Stanford

In August 1999, the Rainbow Push Coalition paid Karin Stanford $15,000 in moving expenses and $21,000 for contracting work.

November 18, 1999: Decatur High School Expulsions

On November 18, 1999, after seven Decatur, Illinois, high school students were expelled for participating in a brawl, Jesse Jackson argued that the expulsions were unfair and racially biased.

March 2000: Criticism of Giuliani's Handling of Shooting

In March 2000, Jesse Jackson criticized Giuliani's handling of the Patrick Dorismond shooting, saying that there was "something that is not well about his response to unarmed people being shot by police."

2000: Clash with Jeb Bush during recount

In 2000, Jesse Jackson clashed with Governor of Florida Jeb Bush during the election recount.

January 20, 2001: Jackson requests pardons from Clinton

On January 20, 2001, Jesse Jackson had requested Bill Clinton to pardon Congressman Mel Reynolds, John Bustamante, and Dorothy Rivers, which Clinton did. Jackson also requested a pardon for his half-brother Noah Robinson, but Clinton denied it due to previous Justice Department denials.

2001: Affair and Child Support Revealed

In 2001, Jesse Jackson's affair with Karin Stanford and resulting daughter Ashley became public, leading to Jackson paying $4,000 a month in child support.

2002: Jackson discusses "King democracy"

In 2002, Jackson stated in an interview that there was "a new America" and the world was abandoning the Jeffersonian democracy. In November 2002, African Americans Against Exploitation Inc. filed suit against Jackson, alleging that he "intentionally misrepresented himself as an official of the African American race". Also that year, Jackson was the target of a white supremacist terror plot.

2002: Criticism of Regier's nomination

In 2002, Jesse Jackson joined Democrats in criticizing Jeb Bush's nomination of Jerry Regier for the Department of Children and Families, citing a 1989 paper that Regier co-authored which endorsed spanking and opposed married women having careers.

September 1, 2003: Arrest at Yale University protest

On September 1, 2003, Jesse Jackson was arrested for blocking traffic at Yale University in solidarity with striking workers. He was the first person handcuffed.

June 2004: Jackson rebukes Jeb Bush

In June 2004, Jesse Jackson criticized Jeb Bush for requesting counties to purge felons from voting rolls, calling it a tactic to deny voting rights based on race and class. Bush responded by calling Jackson's comments "outrageous" and said that Jackson was "past his prime."

August 2005: Met with Hugo Chávez in Venezuela

In August 2005, Jesse Jackson met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in Venezuela after controversial remarks by Pat Robertson. Jackson condemned Robertson's remarks and stated there was no evidence Venezuela posed a threat to the U.S.

2005: FEC fine for electoral law violation

In 2005, the Federal Election Commission ruled that Jesse Jackson and the Democratic National Committee had violated electoral law and fined them $200,000.

2005: Support for Terri Schiavo's parents

In early 2005, Jesse Jackson visited Terri Schiavo's parents and supported their unsuccessful bid to keep her alive, which Jeb Bush also supported.

March 2006: Support for Duke Lacrosse Accuser

In March 2006, Jesse Jackson offered to pay the college tuition of the African-American woman who accused three white members of the Duke University men's lacrosse team of rape, regardless of the case's outcome. The case against the three men was later thrown out and the players were declared innocent.

November 2006: Response to Michael Richards' Racist Tirade

In November 2006, Jesse Jackson played a key role in addressing the scandal caused by Michael Richards' racist tirade. Richards apologized to Jackson, who accepted and met with him publicly. Jackson also joined Black leaders in calling for the elimination of the "N-word" throughout the entertainment industry.

June 23, 2007: Arrest at gun store protest

On June 23, 2007, Jesse Jackson was arrested for trespassing during a protest at a gun store in Riverdale, Illinois, accused of selling firearms to gang members. He refused to stop blocking the entrance.

July 6, 2008: Jackson's remarks about Obama

On July 6, 2008, during an interview with Fox News, Jesse Jackson was caught on microphone saying he wanted to "cut [Obama's] nuts off" due to Obama "talking down to black people". He later apologized.

November 2009: Congressional Black Caucus Honors Jackson

In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jesse Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign. Jackson also commented on Obama's health care reform proposal, criticizing blacks who voted against it.

August 2010: "Jobs, Justice and Peace" March in Detroit

In August 2010, Jesse Jackson participated in the "Jobs, Justice and Peace" march in Detroit to advocate for a focused urban policy. The march was criticized as a campaign rally for the Democratic Party.

2010: Davis Lost Primary

In November 2009, Jackson made a comment that may have hurt Artur Davis, who was a candidate in the 2010 Alabama gubernatorial election.

2011: Antipathy for Black Leaders

In 2011, Wayne Barrett wrote about Obama's embrace of Sharpton and antipathy for black leaders like Jesse Jackson.

February 2012: Response to Trayvon Martin Shooting

In February 2012, following the shooting of Trayvon Martin, Jesse Jackson joined Martin's parents in demanding the arrest of George Zimmerman and called for repealing stand-your-ground laws. After Zimmerman's acquittal, Jackson refused to accept it and called for civil rights charges.

July 2013: Meeting with Marissa Alexander

In July 2013, Jesse Jackson met with Marissa Alexander and called for her 20-year sentence to be reduced, contrasting it with Zimmerman's acquittal.

2013: Attended Hugo Chávez's Funeral

In 2013, Jesse Jackson attended Hugo Chávez's funeral, commenting on the maturation of democracies and making inaccurate statements about U.S. presidents owning slaves.

January 2015: Alexander Released

In January 2015, Marissa Alexander was released from jail under a plea deal that capped her sentence at the three years she had already served.

2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Jesse Jackson declined to endorse either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary but endorsed Clinton after she secured the nomination. He later criticized Donald Trump's response to police killings.

January 2018: Sermon Criticizing Trump

In January 2018, Jesse Jackson delivered a sermon in which he criticized Trump as misleading and out of touch. He also wrote an op-ed reflecting on King's legacy and attended the Angela Project Conference, addressing social injustices.

February 2019: Response to Jussie Smollett Incident

In February 2019, after Jussie Smollett reported a hate crime, Jesse Jackson called the attack an attempted lynching and criticized Trump for emboldening bigots. Later, when Smollett was charged with falsifying the attack, Jackson requested leniency for him.

June 2019: Jackson Comments on Biden's Stance on Busing

In June 2019, Jesse Jackson stated he didn't understand Biden's prior support for segregated school busing but believed "he's changed" and voiced his opposition to states' rights.

June 2022: Supreme Court Overrules Roe v. Wade

In June 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson.

2022: Jackson Defends Yoga School Leaders

In 2022, Jesse Jackson wrote to an Argentinian judge in defense of leaders of a yoga school who had been accused of forcing women into prostitution.

2023: Value of FEC fine

In 2005, the Federal Election Commission ruled that Jesse Jackson and the Democratic National Committee had violated electoral law and fined them $200,000 (equivalent to $299,900 in 2023).

May 2024: Jackson Writes on Israel-Hamas War

In May 2024, Jesse Jackson wrote about the Israel–Hamas war, condemning the October 7th attacks but also calling Israel's response an attack on Palestinian civilians and a massacre and expressing support for pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses.