Bill Cosby just did his first interview in two years regarding the sexual allegations against him and his upcoming rape trial. He got real about everything ranging from racism and payback possibly being the motive behind the allegations that suddenly popped up starting in 2015 to how his wife, Camille, has reacted to the allegations behind closed doors.

We’ve provided much of the transcript of his new interview with CNN host, Michael Smerconish below. So if you’ve been wondering what in the world has been going through Cosby’s mind since this sex scandal started, wonder no more…

Cosby’s New Interview

On Why He Decided To Speak Out Now

Cosby: I have not performed in over two years, I have not spoken at a graduation in two years or even to speak to an incoming high school freshmen or freshperson class to give them some idea of what they’re gonna face and what they ought to do.

Smerconish: So why now?
Cosby: Well … I decided I think it’s time for me to do something so that the people who still have faith in me, the people who are still wondering what I sound like as opposed to the National Enquirer, which is very interesting reading when they write about me.

On What He Wants Restored About His Name After Several Sex Allegations Against Him Were Recently Thrown Out In Court

Cosby: Well, things were rescinded and I’d like to get those things back because the people who decided to make that decision then saw they made a mistake. […] Look, when people ask you what would you like to be known for, what is your legacy, what is this and that, it has never really, really been something at the front of the lobe. I just think that now in this time, we are looking at law, and not things, I mean proof has to be brought to the front, period. And within the parameters of whatever you guys, I understand you’re a lawyer, and boy, the education I’m getting is absolutely fantastic. The old saying, there are two sides to every story unravels when you’re dealing with lawyers.

On If He Feels That He’s Been Unfairly Condemned By Public Opinion

Cosby: In show business…and celebrity, I think that these are the areas where we can be attacked, and people can walk away saying things and there’s an old show business, an old show business saying, look it doesn’t make any difference as long as they spell your name right. Well I wanna raise my hand and say I would like to really debate that strongly.

On Camille Cosby’s Continued Support

Smerconish: Have you at any point in the last two years lost her support in what you’re going through?
Cosby: Never, never.

On If He Believes That The Sexual Allegations Are Racially Motivated

Cosby: Could be, could be. I can’t say anything, but there are certain things that I look at and I apply to the situation, and there are so many tentacles, so many different nefarious is a great word, and I just truly believe that some of it may very well be that.

Smerconish: But your accusers are both Black and White?
Cosby: Well, let me put it to you this way. When you look at the power structure and when you look at individuals, there are some people who can very well be motivated by whether or not they’re going to work. Or whether or not they might be able to get back at someone, so if it’s in terms of whatever the choice is, I think that you can also examine individuals and situations and they will come out differently. So, it’s not all, not every, but I do think that there’s some.

His Expectations After The Trial

Smerconish: Is this a coming out of sorts for you? Is this a one and done, or is our conversation the first of what will be a number of public conversations that you’re looking forward to having?

Cosby: That, I’m afraid, depends on the outcome of many things. Certainly with media, they certainly want me to address things that I feel happen to be very premature. I also feel that there are many filmed things and writing as well that people can take what you say and insert it and it will mean something altogether different and I think that many times, a person in the position I’m in will find himself or herself not enjoying that which was written, but then the excuse always comes back, well my editor did this, and my producer, it wasn’t my fault, but I think they all knew what they were going to do, so yes, it will happen and it should happen, but I will ask this question. If no matter what happens, if a man is then free to go where he wants to go, free, within the law to do what he wants to do, and he offers himself in concert for people to buy tickets, why would people threaten the hall, threaten the people who booked the show when in fact the people who are coming are those who are buying tickets, so these people are saying he has or she has, the people they want to bar has no right, no right whatsoever to be appearing in this place.

Smerconish: Are you telling me that if and when you’re exonerated, you want to be able to perform and you want people to recognize whatever the outcome will be of this trial?
Cosby: That too is sort of very interesting, because I, you know if a jury says so forth and so on, there’s still public opinion. And if jury comes for the other side of the so forth and so on, it’s still public opinion. So I think it’s something that you never will be able to satisfy all minds and all behaviors. I know the side that I’m on and the side that I’m hoping for, and after that, there’s more work to be done. But, I still feel that I have an awful lot to offer in terms of my writing, in terms of my performance.

On Why He Will Not Testify In Upcoming Trial

Smerconish: I heard you when you said earlier in the conversation that you need to be mindful of the wishes of your attorney. But you also told me that you won’t testify on your own behalf. Don’t you want to testify and tell your story?

Cosby: No. […] Once again I go back to lawyers and this morning when you have to deal with examination, cross examination, etc., more than two sides to every story sometimes, it’s four or five. And what people want to say, or want you to say and how they maneuver and yes I do have lawyers that protect me, I have objection, sustained, but I just don’t want, I just don’t want to sit there and have to figure out what I believe is a truthful answer, as to whether or not I’m opening a can of something that I, my lawyers are scrambling.

Are All The Women Lying? Cosby Answers

Smerconish: What do you say to the person who puts credence in the charges against you because of the number of women who’ve come out and said a similar thing?
Cosby: I think that the numbers came because the numbers prior to the numbers didn’t work. So the piling on so to speak is a way and certainly an impressive way to get public opinion, to come to the other side.

Smerconish: Are you telling me that they’re all lying?
Cosby: You know better than that.

Smerconish: Meaning you can’t answer that question or you won’t answer that question?
Cosby: I won’t and I cannot answer that, it’s really not fair and you know that because all I have to do is say something similar to that and the next thing I know, the postman is carrying a big bag or whoever it is saying defamation, defamation, defamation.

On What He Wants People To Understand About Him As A Person & Entertainer

Smerconish: Is there anything else that Bill Cosby wanted to make sure that he said on what I’ve characterized as a coming out of sorts because I want to give you the opportunity to do that.

Cosby: I want people to understand that the, my work as an artist, a performer, I owe a great deal to people who saw things in me, and in many ways, in many ways, I returned the favors, and Gloria Steinem had a very interesting quote. She said the truth shall set you free but first it might piss you off. And I’ve said a lot of things to people, trying to give them the truth, trying to motivate them and move them in a direction away from apathy sometimes, sometimes away from fear, sometimes to guide them into strength and a belief in what they fear about themselves, and I’ve taken some hits from people who are supposed to be watching out for people like this. And I do feel that right now, right now as I speak to you, I want to get back to the last (unclear), enjoyment of things that I’ve written and things that I’ve performed on stage, and then I want to take other things and move it to halls, churches, etc. to give what I feel will be motivational, and informational and drive people to make changes in themselves, the home life, because the one quote that I sustained is the revolution is in the home.

On Judge’s Decision To Release Decade Old Deposition For Sex Allegation Cases

Smerconish: One last point if I may Mr. Cosby [..] you’re in the position that you’re in today because a deposition that you gave a decade ago in a case that was settled came back to haunt you, and it came back to haunt you because a federal judge said-I’m paraphrasing- ‘If Bill Cosby is going to be out there on his soapbox, speaking about moral virtue, then it’s fair for this deposition to be used against him.’ From a legal standpoint, I thought that was a wrong decision, and I said so at the time. Do you want to comment on that underlying decision which played a pretty significant role in the position in which you find yourself?

Cosby: I have an emotion about what the judge did, and I’m still very much confused about how that came about and caused whatever is happening today.

Smerconish: In other words, you thought you had a deal, that case was over, and the facts of it were done?

Cosby: No (laughter). It’s the way it was put out and the way many people saw it and you just said it and I think, I think the safest way to put it is I agree with you.

Listen to Cosby’s full CNN interview below:

https://soundcloud.com/smerconishshow/exclusive-bill-cosby-speaks