Dana Taylor

Hello and welcome to USA Today's The Excerpt.

I'm Dana Taylor.

Today is Friday, February 20th, 2026.

For more on the life and legacy of the late Jesse Jackson, now joined by USA Today National Correspondent Trevor Hughes.

Trevor, thank you so much for joining me.

As you wrote, Trevor, Jesse Jackson was a towering civil rights icon.

His civil rights story really begins at a public library in Greenville, South Carolina.

Tell me about the Greenville Eight.

Like the late Representative John Lewis, who died in 2020, Jesse Jackson's civil rights legacy is tied to Martin Luther King Jr.

What was Jackson's connection to MLK?

Jesse Jackson was a trailblazer in American politics.

He ran for president in 1984 and 1988.

Trevor, how did those campaigns shape coalition politics?

And of course, he didn't shy away from engaging in foreign politics.

What can you share here regarding his work in negotiating the release of American hostages?

Presidents on both sides of the aisle held Jackson in high esteem, including current President Donald Trump.

What were his remarks following the passing of Jesse Jackson?

And how have other leaders marked his passing?

Jesse Jackson was a staunch advocate for civil rights.

We know that.