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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson Dead At Age 84. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired February 17, 2026 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[05:00:24]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

RAHEL SOLOMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome.

We begin this morning with breaking news. Civil rights pioneer Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84 years old.

CNN's Abby Phillip has a look at his life and legacy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Jesse Jackson's life was defined by a relentless fight for justice and equality.

JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER: I was born in Greenville, South Carolina, in rampant radical racial segregation. Had to be taught to go to the back of the bus or be arrested.

PHILLIP (voice-over): Those early experiences drove Jackson to join the civil rights movement.

JACKSON: The fact is, against the odds, we knew there were great odds. We were winning.

PHILLIP (voice-over): In 1965, he began working for Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

JACKSON: I learned so much from him, such a great source of inspiration.

PHILLIP (voice-over): King named Jackson to lead Operation Breadbasket in Chicago, an economic justice campaign for Black people. However, some say King was frustrated by Jackson's brashness and ambition.

JACKSON: I'm sure he thought I needed more time. I was 24 years old.

PHILLIP (voice-over): Both men were in Memphis in April 1968 to support striking sanitation workers. King and other civil rights leaders were staying at the Lorraine Motel.

JACKSON: He said, Jesse, you know, you don't even have on a shirt and tie. You don't even have on a tie. We're going to dinner. I said, Doctor, does not require attire, just an appetite. We laughed and said, doc, the bullet hit.

Everything changed at that moment. It was a defining moment in the history of our struggle.

PHILLIP (voice-over): With King gone, his movement was adrift. Years later, Jackson formed Operation Push pressuring businesses to open up to black workers and customers and adding more focus on black responsibility, championed in the 1972 concert Wattstax.

JACKSON: In what we have shifted from burn, baby, burn, to learn, baby, learn.

PHILLIP (voice-over): And he expanded his own global reach to helping to free U.S. Lieutenant Robert Goodman, who was held by Syria after being shot down, and later, other Americans held in Cuba and Serbia.

JACKSON: I learned how to negotiate as an African American growing up among white people. You have to negotiate every day

PHILLIP (voice-over): The reverend set his sights on the White House in 1984.

JACKSON: Milking cows and coming back to the inner cities. So, I learned a lot during that period.

PHILLIP (voice-over): First thought of as a marginal candidate, Jackson finished third in the primary race with 18 percent of the vote.

That campaign almost went off the rails when Jackson used an ethnic slur to refer to New York Jews.

JACKSON: These mistakes, and they hurt.

PHILLIP (voice-over): He ran again in 1988, this time doubling his vote count and finishing in second in the Democratic race.

JACKSON: Keep hope alive. Vote tomorrow night!

PHILLIP (voice-over): At the time, it was the farthest any black candidate had gone in a presidential contest.

JACKSON: But 20 years later, when President Barack ran, we were laying the groundwork for that season.

PHILLIP (voice-over): In 2017, Jackson had a new battle to fight, Parkinsons disease, but that didn't stop him.

JACKSON: If you hold on, if your cause is right and your grip is tight, you'll make it.

PHILLIP (voice-over): Late in life, he was still fighting. He was arrested in Washington while demonstrating for voting rights. His silent presence at the trial of Ahmaud Arbery's killers prompted defense lawyers to ask that he leave the courtroom. Jackson stayed.

JACKSON: I am, I am somebody. I am. I am somebody.

PHILLIP (voice-over): From the Jim Crow South, through the turbulent '60s and into the black lives matter movement, Jesse Jackson was a constant, unyielding voice for justice.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: Let's continue this discussion and bring in Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright.

And, Antjuan, if I'm not mistaken, you are joining us from South Carolina, the state where Jesse Jackson was born. Your reaction to this news this morning?

ANTJUAN SEAWRIGHT, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST (via telephone): Well, of course, as a young -- as a 40-year-old black man who grew up in the rural south, Jesse Jackson gave all of us hope. He declared by way of his phrase I am somebody. And so every little black boy or black girl with dreams, it made you feel like you can evolve into a man or a woman with vision.

[05:05:08]

Jesse Jackson represented hope and change before Barack Obama calcified the phrase. And were just so thankful for his legacy. I'm reminded every day when our legends transition is that legends do not die because their legacy lives on forever. He transformed Democratic politics, reminded everyone the power of the African American voice, and the African American experiment at the same time.

And so, his life and legacy will live on forever. I believe that God has a sense of humor that he would in the month of February allow Reverend Jesse Jackson to transition. In a time period in which I think America is experiencing transition, our community, as Black Americans are experiencing transition. And certainly, Democratic politics and American politics itself is experiencing transition.

SOLOMON: Yeah. And say more to us about his legacy. I mean, Abby did a good job there. Just going over his 84 years here on earth. But how do you think he will best be remembered? Is it the voting drives? Is it his run for president? What are you thinking about?

SEAWRIGHT: Well, I think it's a collection of things. And his work with Operation Breadbasket in which Reverend Al Sharpton also worked alongside him in that movement should be a reminder to all of us particularly those of us in Black America, is that progress is not permanent. Some of the same challenges and issues that Reverend Jackson fought for and stood on the front line for are some of the same issues that my generation are fighting for, and some of us are on the front line fighting for.

And he often in his fight would say to some of us in private, at least in my interactions with him. And I've had a few of them that oceans of justice and rivers of fairness should be the goal for all of us who've always felt left out and left behind, who did not have a place in this country. And so, those of us who are in this -- this new generation of the movement now understand that we stand on the shoulders of the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We understand that his fight is our fight and quite frankly, if we do not win the fight the fight will continue to linger for the next two or three generations.

SOLOMON: And, Antjuan, you said you've had a few experiences with Jesse Jackson in your time as a Democratic strategist and as a young man from South Carolina. What can you share with us about what he was like? I was struck by his comments there that the Martin Luther King, Jr., at times felt like he was a bit brash, felt like at times he was a bit ambitious. Tell us about your experience and what you might be able to share with us about him personally.

SEAWRIGHT: Well, I think my well, my experience is that simply can be summarized in this. He never colored inside the lines he represented what most of us hoped to represent one day. He had swag. He had appeal, but he also had a lens of seriousness that no matter whether if you agree with him or not, no matter if you were on the same side of an issue or not, you had to respect him. And I think that's important.

One of the things on my last conversations with him a few years ago in New York bumping into -- bumping into him at a hotel he said something to me that I will never forget. He said familiarity breeds contentment. And that's a friendly reminder that you do not have to be the loudest voice in the room in order to be heard. And you do not have to raise your voice on every issue.

But when you raise your voice make certain that you're raising your voice loud enough to the point where people will respect you even if they do not agree with you.

SOLOMON: And then, Antjuan, and Abby touched on this a bit in the obit package there but, you know, he was a civil rights pioneer that even in 2026, remained relevant. You know, depending on the case that was in the news, just give us a sense of how he was able to sort of continue his work, continue his legacy even in present day.

SEAWRIGHT: Well, in our community, we certainly were always demonstrate our respect for the elders in our community and the sacrifices we made because they paved the way for some of us just to have an opportunity. And I think that the work he has done speaks for him. And that's why even in 2026, he commanded the respect and the attention of those of us who are on the front line today fighting the fight of Jesse Jackson and Martin Luther King, Jr., and John Lewis and others, but also understanding that it's a different kind of fight.

And the one thing I find value and appreciation in when it comes to folks like Reverend Jackson and others of his day, is that they understand it's the same kind of fight, but you're fighting a different set of people who are playing by a different set of rules. And he understood that he appreciated and valued that.

[05:10:08] And he did not -- he did not think that the fight was boxed in to one segment of our population. Everybody shared in the fight of justice and equality, equity and equality.

SOLOMON: And, Antjuan, I just want to read for you a family statement that were now just getting into our newsroom here. And just stick with me here. The family of Jesse Jackson posting this statement online.

It says, "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family. His unwavering commitment to justice, equality and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity. A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless from his presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Antjuan, let bring you back into the conversation. Just your -- your immediate thoughts after hearing that statement. And again, he was surrounded by his family. I'm not sure that I said that in this this statement here, but we do know -- yes, he was surrounded by his family when he passed yesterday morning.

SEAWRIGHT: Well, outside of economic justice, one of the key fights for Reverend Jackson was certainly voting rights. And voting rights continues to be the most consequential issue of America and certainly Black America. And so, when you think about the fact that we have a group of people who are in charge of this country who are literally trying to suffocate silence. Our right to participate at the ballot box as black Americans exterminate black political power by way of redistricting in this country, particularly across the south, and limiting our participation at the ballot box by changing the rules as the game is being played the fight that Reverend Jackson, Reverend Jackson led is certainly the fight that we have to continue to lead.

After the Voting Rights Act of 1965, after the Voting Rights Act of 1964 the work to protect the things that were in those pieces of legislation and the folks who fought to get those pieces of legislation passed, continues on. Reverend Jackson understood that, that was a large part of his work. And now those of us who remain must continue that fight and that focus, if we want to continue to uplift the life and legacy and the work of folks like Reverend Jackson.

SOLOMON: And, Antjuan, talk to us a little bit about the family he leaves behind we know that his son Jesse jr., was a former congressman in Illinois. Talk to us a little bit about his family.

SEAWRIGHT: Well, certainly, he not only handled business in our community and in this country, he handled business within his immediate community, and that's his family, a very successful family. They are continuing the work in their own individual way and talking to Jonathan Jackson, member of Congress, who was the son of Reverend Jackson.

He did not. He was not one of those fathers who put pressure on their children to do exactly what they did. He just challenged them to be better than his generation. And I appreciate that, because that mirrors what my dad taught me and my siblings as a child, and both in our adulthood. And I think they're doing one heck of a job of continuing his legacy and making America proud as they made him proud.

SOLOMON: And then, Antjuan, as, as far as we know, we know that he did start to have some complications as early as 2017. We know that he was hospitalized in November. Give us a sense of just sort of some of his later years and some of the health complications that he suffered.

SEAWRIGHT: Well certainly, I think his later years were more about mentoring, and preparing the next generation. I think his health challenges are also a friendly reminder for all of us that the health care challenges we face in America today are so important, whether it's research whether its access to care whether it's being able to afford affordable quality health care or making sure that the industry has the talent it needs in order to be able to handle patients and those who struggle with any type of illness and disease.

And so right now, as a 25 million Americans will see their premiums, co-pays and deductibles skyrocket because the Affordable Care Act subsidies were not increased.

You have to think about folks like Reverend Jackson and his health challenges that he faced throughout his life, and what that means for so many other families in America, and certainly those in marginalized communities who cannot afford health care who do not, who do not have access to affordable, quality health care in this country.

SOLOMON: And just sort of piggybacking off of that. I mean, access to health care, certainly, you know, a potent issue a relevant issue for a lot of people right now.

[05:15:04]

What would you -- what other issues do you think Reverend Jesse Jackson would be focusing his time on, his energy on right now?

SEAWRIGHT: Well, I think it would certainly be quality of life, bread and butter issues. As we say down in South Carolina issues. Issues that we talk about at the barbershop and the beauty parlor. If you're a lady kitchen table issues things that keep you up at night, and certainly things that motivate you to get up in the morning. Health care education, the environment voting rights just to name a few. All of them impact our daily quality of life. And that was the those were the centerpieces of the civil rights movement of Reverend Jackson today.

And certainly, they represent the centerpieces of the fight in our day. We certainly face our own challenges like we did in those days, as Black Americans, I often say that when America has a cough, Black America has the flu. When it is smoked in America, Black America is experiencing a wildfire. And I certainly think that Reverend Jackson believed that same sentiment. That's why even in his later days even with his health challenges, he still pushed along the fight in order to deal with those challenges SOLOMON: Yeah. And I'm thinking you mentioned John Lewis, Antjuan,

what would you expect in the days and the weeks to come as his family prepares to say their goodbyes? And it was interesting to me, and this is not something that I read, but in the family statement that I was reading, they talked about how obviously he was their father, but how they shared him with the world.

And so, give me a sense of what you might expect to happen to come in the days and the weeks to follow, as certainly his immediate family, but even those beyond who were impacted by his work, who were touched by his work say their goodbyes and remember his life and legacy.

SEAWRIGHT: Well, because he transformed the nation and because he sent a shockwave around the world through his work, I would suspect that world leaders and national leaders, regardless of politics, regardless of race gender, and some of those things that usually divide us, they will uplift his life and legacy. They will talk about their personal impact and professional impact that he had had on him, and the work that any of us continue to do.

I would also add that Reverend Jackson work should not be boxed into just the civil rights movement. And just the spiritual rights movement, if you will. I think that no matter what your career may be particularly if you're of the African seed and the American son and daughter, your life and your community was impacted by Reverend Hackson. Reverend Jackson is one of those figures who loomed large, especially during African American history month very similar to the late Dr. Martin Luther King.

So, I suspect that there will be much uplifting, much celebration and much evaluating, how do we press forward as a community, as a country after we lose another civil rights icon and legend?

SOLOMON: Evaluating and reflecting.

Antjuan Seawright --

SEAWRIGHT: And I would also quickly add that you know, this is also a friendly reminder of how important history is in this country. And I know there's a certain attitude about white and sanitizing history and only sharing the most comfortable parts of history. But Reverend Jackson's life and legacy is a friendly reminder that black history is American history, and there will be no American history without black history to include the history and the life and legacy of Reverend Jackson.

SOLOMON: Antjuan Seawright, we appreciate you joining us and being on the phone this morning for us from Columbia, South Carolina. Again, as we cover this news that the Reverend Jesse Jackson died, surrounded by his family, according to the family this morning.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:23:15] SOLOMON: Welcome back.

We continue to follow breaking news this morning. Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has passed away at the age of 84. He rose to prominence in the 1960s as a protege of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

Jackson ran for president twice, in 1984 and 1988, and launched the Rainbow Coalition, which helped pave the way for more progressive Democratic Party. He was known for his signature phrase, "Keep hope alive", a rallying cry for social justice and the post-civil rights era. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, dead at 84.

I want to bring back into the conversation Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright.

And, Antjuan, the last time we spoke, we spoke a lot about Jesse Jackson's life, his legacy, his family. Talk to me a little bit about, as someone who is also a member of the Democratic Party, how he reshaped the party in his image and what impact and lasting legacy he has had on the party.

SEAWRIGHT: I think his presence was an indication of a signal that Black Americans were certainly the concrete in which the Democratic Party stood on. He was part of the transition of making it known that black voices are the most consequential in the Democratic primary and the most loyal and dedicated voting bloc in the history of this country. I also think that as a 40-year-old Black man from Jesse Jackson's home state, he served as a friendly reminder about the power and the voice of the African American man. And why we cannot be taken for granted, certainly by my own party, but by any political party. And he pushed the envelope for change within our party's ecosystem.

Some would view him as progressive. I would argue that he was a pragmatic progressive. He understood the challenges that we face as a community, but he also understood that his voice and his work represented also those outside of our community, those who also have been left out and left behind, who may not be black.

And I think that is should be a strong, signal for us going forward that we need transformational leaders who sometimes look like us and sometimes who do not that can speak to the large, larger ecosystem within the Democratic Party.

SOLOMON: And, Antjuan, I want to read for you something that just came through. This is from the Reverend Al Sharpton posting on his Instagram and I'm going to read it for you. So just stick with me here.

He says, "My mentor, Reverend Jesse Jackson has passed. I just prayed with his family by phone he was a consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world. He shaped public policy and changed laws he kept the dream alive and taught young children from broken homes like me that we don't have broken spirits. He told us we were somebody and made us believe. I will always cherish him taking me under his wing, and I will forever try to do my part to keep hope alive. A giant has gone home. Sending prayers, so many prayers, love and

heartfelt condolences to the Jackson family and to every person around the world whose life he touched and who loved him."

Antjuan, I want to piggyback and circle back to something you said in the last block as we were just talking about how Jesse Jackson reshaped the party. You said before there was Barack Obama, there was Jesse Jackson.

SOLOMON: That's because he was a dreamer, and he believed in hope. And he represented the dream of Dr. King. Barack Obama's mantra was hope and change. Reverend Jackson represented that before Barack Obama hit the scene.

And that's why his signature phrase "keep hope alive" was I think, a political filling station, a filling station, and a spiritual filling station for so many people, particularly those of us in the black community. I mean, to see Reverend Jackson twice run for president, to see him succeed in the way he did, to see him push our party and push a nation to lean in and to pay attention to the issues and the position he took on the issues. That's -- that's transformative all by itself. That's why he will go down and be always known as consequential in many regards.

But one of the most important things we don't elevate as much when it comes to Reverend Jackson, is the shoulders that he provided for so many others. His work alongside Reverend Sharpton and the Breadbasket Movement, there are so many people who benefited from the work of Reverend Jackson. I think that's a reminder for all of us today. Our work is not just about us in this moment and highlighting our own individual accomplishments and what we do, it's also about bringing along others in your community and giving back to your community and giving back to your country. And regardless of what the circumstances may be, it's so important for you to stand your ground and stand your position and not waver on your position

SOLOMON: And, Antoine, it's interesting to have you. I mean as you pointed out there you're 40 years old. You know, you're from South Carolina, his home state. You are a member of the Democratic Party. You're a strategist.

Help me understand from a personal lens what Jesse Jackson meant for you. I mean, you would have grown up knowing who he was. It was hard not to. He is a household name, of course.

But give me a sense of sort of your first impression of the stature, the legacy, the impact of Jesse Jackson and how that perhaps came to maybe even influence some of the decisions that you've made in terms of the type of work that you pursued.

SEAWRIGHT: Well, funnily enough, Reverend Jackson was one of the first persons I remember as a kid highlighting during Black history month at my church when we grew up in the South, and this is probably true across the country, but certainly highlight in the south every year during black history month, during the month of February, we had to give a black history speech and highlight a leader from our community.

Reverend Jackson was one of the first that I remember that I had to highlight as a young kid growing up in the AME church. And so, he and his work touched me very, very early. I'm fifth generation AME although he grew up in the Baptist movement. I come from a family with a long line of ministers and so the work of Reverend Jackson, not only from a social justice standpoint, but from a spiritual standpoint, also pinged me as a kid certainly has done that in my adult life.

And it's a friendly reminder to my conservative friends that you can be a Democrat, but you can also believe in Jesus. You can be a Democrat and also not compromise on your values as a Christian.

And I think that's also a reminder for those of us who are still around and still in this fight for the same principle, you can be a Democrat and not compromise on your values or your spiritual beliefs. And that's one thing that's very important to me. It certainly has been important to my family.