Lindsey Graham (15:10)
Clay shakes Saxon's hand, then heads back toward the gym, clutching his copy of Muhammad Speaks. Hearing Saxon talk about the Nation of Islam was invigorating. Clay's always been angry about the treatment of black people in America. But he's never heard someone talk about it in this way. This group, the Nation of Islam, seem to be forging their own path. Regardless of how they're treated by white people. And that's exactly what Clay wants to do, too. The very first time Cassius Clay visits a Nation of Islam mosque in Miami, he decides he wants to convert. Everything the Nation preaches speaks powerfully to him. He especially likes their message on social issues. Unlike many Christian civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. The nation isn't interested in fighting for desegregation. They believe that black people should build their own communities. Where they can lift each other up and feel proud of their blackness. This is one of many reasons why the Nation of Islam is controversial in mainstream America. Many Americans, both white and black, dislike the group because it breaks away from Christianity and opposes racial integration. They dismiss its members as gangsters and criminals because the religion recruits heavily in prisons and many are uncomfortable with some Nation of Islam doctrines that are openly hostile to white people. But Clay ignores the criticism and begins to practice the religion in earnest. He gives up drinking and stops eating pork. He begins praying to the east five times daily. And he grows close with both the nation's leader, Elijah Muhammad, and its most famous adherent, activist, Malcolm X. Soon, Clay feels spiritually fulfilled for the first time in his life. And this sense of inner contentment seems to help his boxing career, too. Between 1962 and 1964, he continues his unbeaten streak, and before long, Klay's managers get a call. Klay will be given a shot at the heavyweight championship in a fight against the reigning champ, Sonny Liston. Liston is the overwhelming favorite, but Clay refuses to see himself as an underdog. In interviews with reporters, he talks incessantly about how badly he's going to beat the reigning champ. He gives Liston a name, the Bear, and then buys a blue denim jacket with the words Bear Huntin emblazoned on the back. At one point, Clay even shows up outside Liston's home to taunt him. And when the two fighters finally step into The Ring on February 25, 1964, Clay shocks everyone by backing up all his boasts. He takes Liston's best punches for six rounds without flinching and lands several haymakers of his own. And in between rounds, Clay hams it up for reporters while Liston broods in the corner. And when the bell for the seventh round rings, Clay leaps off his stool as if he's fresh out of bed. Liston doesn't move, though, and after a few more seconds, the referee calls a fight. Clay is named the new heavyweight champion of the world. It's a culmination of everything he's worked so hard for. He leaps onto the ropes and starts shouting, I am the greatest. I am the king of the world. Later that night, Clay celebrates with his friends, including Malcolm X. And the next morning, he heads to the Miami Convention center to meet with reporters and discuss the fight. As he enters the press room, Clay flashes them a wide smile. Then he sits at a podium and asks the reporters what they want to know. Hands fly into the air as reporters ask how Clay beat the seemingly invincible Liston, who he's planning to fight next, and whether he has any endorsement deals lined up. Clay answers every question and cracks a few jokes, and for about half an hour, the press conference goes smoothly. Then, as things start to wind down. Clay says he'll field one last question and a young balding man with pointy ears raises his hand. He notes that Malcolm X was sitting ringside last night and that Clay was seen leaving the arena with him. The reporter wants to know why. Clay shrugs and explains that they're friends. After the fight, they went to a soda shop and split a bowl of vanilla ice cream. The reporter says he asked because Malcolm X belongs to the Nation of Islam. And he wants to know if Clay is also a card carrying member. Clay frowns because though he's proud to be a member of the Nation of Islam, until now he's kept his religious views private. And he can tell from the way the reporter is asking the question he means it as an accusation. So Clay tries to brush the question off, noting that Nation members don't carry cards. But the reporter asks how he knows that unless he's a member of the cult. Now Clay is annoyed. He says the Nation is not a cult and then confirms that yes, he has joined the Nation of Islam and renounced Christianity. The press room erupts with reporters bombarding Ali with follow up questions. Ali points to one older sportswriter he knows, thinking maybe he'll be more sympathetic. But instead the writer points out that the Nation has said it doesn't support American efforts to stop the spread of communism in Vietnam. He asks Clay for his thoughts on this. Clay tries to explain that Islam means peace and that's part of what first drew him to the faith. He also likes their attitudes about building up self worth, about how black people should stick with their own. But the sportswriter just frowns and asks if Clay is talking about segregation. Clay answers yes, he supports segregation and opposes integration. All Nation members do. Then Clay explains with a metaphor in the jungle, lions stick with lions and tigers with tigers. It's just a basic rule of nature to be with your own kind. Then another reporter asks if Clay is serious about what he's saying. And this irritates Clay because of course he's serious. A few minutes later, the press conference is over and the reporters rush out to file their stories. As Clay watches them go, he knows they're likely to twist his words. Even if they don't, people will still likely get upset. Still, Cassius Clay meant everything he said. And if trouble comes like it always does, he'll be ready for it. American Scandal is sponsored by noom, a leader in behavior change weight loss. But now they combine their proven weight loss program with affordable GLP1 medications so you can lose weight and keep it off because Noom doesn't just give you access to meds, it helps you build habits to keep the weight you lost lost. Noom's app features protein tracking so you can ensure you're getting the right nutrients, and fitness classes so you can keep muscle while losing fat. Noom GLP1 starts at $149 and is delivered to your door in seven days. 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Buy one La Z Boy recliner and get another one absolutely free. Don't miss this limited time offer only at Mathis Home, your ultimate furniture superstore. On March 6, 1964, just days after Cassius Clay announces that he's joined the Nation of Islam, leader Elijah Muhammad bestows a new Muslim name on Clay. He will now be known as Muhammad Ali. For Ali, this is a great, great honor. But the backlash to his name change and embrace of Islam is swift. One sportswriter accuses Black Muslims of exploiting Ali and says his conversion has turned boxing into an instrument of mass hate. Another writer, citing the Nation of Islam's anti white rhetoric, compares it to the Gestapo. Even Martin Luther King Jr. Criticizes Ali, lamenting, when he joined the Black Muslims, he became a champion of racial segregation, and hardly anyone, including King, agrees to use Ali's new Muslim name. Still, Ali refuses to back down. He joins Nation of Islam leaders on a trip to Africa and continues to advocate for the Nation in interviews. But they remain controversial, and soon his membership in the Nation of Islam begins to hurt Ali's career. When promoters try to arrange a rematch with Sonny Liston. Dozens of cities turn them down. Public leaders cite fears that Nation of Islam members will descend in large groups and incite violence. And these fears only grow in February 1965, when Malcolm X is assassinated and three members of the nation are charged with a crime. So three months later, when the rematch with Liston finally takes place in a hockey arena in Maine, hundreds of police officers sweep the arena for bombs and search spectators for weapons. A Nation of Islam bodyguards in dark suits and bow ties accompany Ali into the arena, and the atmosphere is tense. But Ali wins easily, knocking out Liston in the first round and bragging afterwards that he had done it with a new move he called his karate punch. No one can deny Ali's boxing talent, but outside the ring he remains a deeply divisive figure. Some fans and observers love his brash, boastful Persona, while others find him insufferable. But Ali's decision to take inspiration from Gorgeous George has proven to be a wise one. Love him or hate him, everyone is talking about Muhammad ali. By late 1965, the United States has been increasing its military presence in Vietnam for several years, supporting the pro American South Vietnamese government in a war with communist North Vietnam. That year alone, the US sends more than 150,000 troops to Southeast Asia, most of them drafted conscripts. As an able bodied young man, Ali was required to register for the draft when he turned 18, and he was called up to serve in early 1964. But Ali is dyslexic and so was unable to pass the Army's written aptitude test. After failing it twice, he was ruled ineligible for for military service. But now, with the US Military's demand for even more troops, the Department of Defense decides to lower its standards. They keep this plan quiet, but Miami sports reporter Bob Halloran soon catches wind of what's happening, and he recognizes that under these new standards, Ali could get drafted. Halloran has known Ali since he was first starting out in the pros and feels protective of him. He wants to warn the champ that the change in the draft rules is coming, but he also knows he has a potential scoop on his hands. So on February 17, 1966, Halloran pulls up outside of Ali's Miami home with a cameraman in tow, telling him to wait on the lawn with his camera ready. Then he knocks on Ali's door. Ali answers a moment later and welcomes Halloran in. The two men settle in on Ali's sova, and Halloran explains why he's there. He says he knows that Ali is a man of peace and has always been against America's involvement in the Vietnam War. But so far his opposition has been mostly symbolic since he was classified as ineligible for military service. But now, he says, it seems that that might change. Halloran leans forward and tells Ali that he's recently received a tip that the military plans to lower its minimum standards on the aptitude test starting today. And if that's true, Ali will be eligible for the draft. Ali's face darkens. Halloran asks Ali what he plans to do if he's called up, but Ali says nothing. He's more quiet than Halloran has ever seen him. To give Ali a moment and check if the draft change has been officially announced, Halloran slips over to use the telephone. He dials up his newsroom and asks whether they've gotten word about the draft. As his colleague says, no, nothing yet. But just before he hangs up, Halloran hears a familiar sound in the background. It's the wire machine that gets breaking news from the Associated Press. Whenever a story comes in, it beeps. Small stories get 1 beep slightly bigger stories, 2 beeps, all the way up to 11 beeps for major breaking news. Halloran's breath tightens as he hears the machine keep beeping and beeping in the background. When it reaches 8, he's convinced that this is it. The government really is going to expand the draft and Halloran will get his scoop. After he confirms the news to Ali, Halloran hustles the champ outside, where his cameraman is standing by as instructed. The cameraman rushes up and starts filming. Halloran asks Ali how he's feeling about his new draft status. Ali is visibly upset. He points out that that for two years the army didn't want him. They said he was too stupid. But now, suddenly, they need him. To him, it feels like he's being singled out. Halloran asks again what Ali will do, and Ali says he's not sure. But one thing's for certain, he'll never join the United States military. The day after his interview with Bob Halloran, another reporter calls Ali for a follow up story. During that conversation, Ali says something that will change his life forever. Explaining his religious views on combat, Ali declares, I am a Muslim and we don't go to war unless they are declared by Allah himself. Then he adds, I don't have no personal quarrel with those Viet Congs. This statement outrages millions of people, especially veterans. The United States has been in a cold war fighting communism for years. Protesting a war against the spread of communism is seen as a terrible Betrayal of American ideals. One journalist calls Ali the black Benedict Arnold. Boxing officials also respond by canceling a big fight Ali has scheduled in Chicago. This costs him and his promoters hundreds of thousands of dollars, making Ali express regret that he ever opened his mouth about anything so political. But then, the more he thinks about it, the muhra Ali decides that he has to oppose the war, not only because his religion demands it, but because he feels it's wrong to send hundreds of thousands of men halfway around the world only to die. So to ensure that he won't be forced to serve, Ali returns to Louisville to visit his hometown draft board. There he formally applies for a deferment as a conscientious objector, a pacifist who opposes war on religious grounds. But the draft board rejects Ali's request. To them, it seems preposterous that someone who punches people for a living could claim to be a pacifist. Ali and his lawyers appeal the decision, and the state draft board turns to the federal Department of Justice in Washington to ask for a recommendation on how to rule in Ali's case. The DOJ then asks the FBI to compile a report on Ali's beliefs. It's standard practice for conscientious objector cases, and as part of the process, FBI agents interview people close to Ali to determine if he's sincere in his beliefs. But Ali's case is far from routine. The FBI already has a file on the heavyweight champ, which was opened just days after he announced his membership in the Nation of Islam. The head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, considers the nation a threat to domestic security and has many its leaders under surveillance. So when the FBI gets Ali's draft review case, they make it a top priority and get to work interviewing friends, acquaintances, teachers, Nation of Islam associates and family members, including Ali's parents. So when Ali's father, Cassius Clay Sr. Spots a black Oldsmobile pull up outside his house in the spring of 1966, he has an idea of what's coming. He watches as two white men wearing dark suits and sunglasses exit the car and approach the modest brick home that Ali bought for his parents. Clay's wife, Odessa, joins him at the window and asks in a whisper if it's the FBI. Clay nods, and then the two of them hear a knock on the door. Clay takes a deep breath and walks over to answer it. The agents smile and hold out their badges. Clay welcomes them inside and shows them into the living room, where Odessa introduces herself and offers them seats and two armchairs. The Clays then sit down opposite the agents on a brown sofa beneath a wall decorated with pictures of their son. The first agent pulls out a notebook and pencil from his suit coat, which makes Clay tense again. But the agent chuckles and says it's nothing to worry about. It's not an interrogation. They're just gathering some facts about their son's conscientious objector claim. The agents begin by asking questions about Ali's upbringing and beliefs and soon the conversation shifts to the Nation of Islam. The second agent turns to Clay Senior.
