After two days of speculation and numerous news stories surrounding a report from The Smoking Gun that Al Sharpton was an FBI informant, the MSNBC host and civil rights rabble-rouser addressed the story on Tuesday's Politics Nation.

During his hour-long cable news program, Sharpton teased three times that he would address the issue saying, "Coming up! The mob, the music industry and me!" and "... a story from 31 years ago that I'll revisit tonight!"

Sharpton talked about his close relationship with James Brown, saying the late singer was like a father to him, and spoke of the Michael Jackson family and Sharpton's efforts to demand black promoters on Michael Jackson's 1984 tour. Sharpton claimed he received death threats from people claiming to be in the mob. Sharpton said,

I contacted the FBI even though I'd had recent run-ins with them in a separate boxing investigation. My call led to my cooperating with the FBI against those mob guys, or who they said they were, to protect myself and others. 

Sharpton continued that being an informant was a non-story and said he believes he did the right thing, continuing:

I didn't consider myself, quote, an informant, wasn't told I was that! I was an American citizen with every right to call law enforcement and that's the lesson I want to emphasize tonight. Forget me, I'll fight my battles!

He then continued that he wants people in his "community" to work with police and call them when they are at risk or in danger.