LAX Leader

Tonight, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election season. Both candidates have agreed to adhere to new rules aimed at preventing disruptions seen in previous debates: microphones will remain muted except when it’s the candidate’s turn to speak, and there will be no studio audience. During the two commercial breaks, candidates are prohibited from interacting with campaign staff.

USC experts are available for pre- and post-debate comment and analysis.

Contact: Nina Raffio, raffio@usc.edu or (213) 442-8464; USC Media Relations, uscnews@usc.edu or (213) 740-2215

Our Experts:

Christina Bellantoni is an expert in political journalism, national politics, television punditry, and partisan media. Over her more than 20 years in journalism, Bellantoni has worked as a reporter and editor, as a producer and as an analyst on national television. She has covered local, state and federal government, along with four presidential campaigns and the White House. Bellantoni is a professor of professional practice at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Contact: christina.bellantoni@usc.edu

Steve Caplan is an expert in digital media, political advertising, and political communications strategy. Caplan is an adjunct instructor at USC Annenberg and the founder of Message, an award-winning strategic communications and marketing firm based in LA. Before launching Message, Caplan was a partner at GMMB, one of the nation’s leading cause marketing firms renowned for leading former President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign to victory. Contact: scaplan@usc.edu

Christian Grose is an expert in U.S. politics, government and elections. Grose is a professor of political science and public policy at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and academic director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy at the USC Price School of Public Policy. Contact: cgrose@usc.edu

Martin Kaplan is an expert in campaign coverage on local TV news; the effects of public health messages in entertainment; the use of narrative to communicate science; and the impact of the attention economy on democracy. Kaplan is a research professor of communication and journalism; the Norman Lear Chair in entertainment, media & society; and director of the Norman Lear Center at USC Annenberg. Contact: martyk@usc.edu

Mindy Romero is a political sociologist whose research focuses on political behavior patterns of voting & political underrepresentation particularly among youth & communities of color in California & U.S.. She is founder/director Center for Inclusive Democracy @USC Sol Price School Public Policy.Contact msromero@usc.edu

Bob Shrum director Center Political Future Carmen H Louis Warschaw Chair practical politics @USC Dornsife.Renowned strategist Shrum served speechwriter Senator George McGovern Senator Edward Kennedy strategist numerous winning campaigns various levels including Joe Biden John Kerry Al Gore presidential races.Contact shrum@usc.edu

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