Costa topic: ‘Inside Trump’s Washington: The Rise and Stall of an Outsider President’

Robert Costa, national political reporter for The Washington Post and moderator of PBS’s “Washington Week,”, will discuss “Inside Trump’s Washington: The Rise and Stall of an Outsider President,” 6-7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 16, at the Save Mart Center as part of the President’s Lecture Series. The talk is free and open to the public.

The President’s Lecture Series features prominent national guests invited to campus by Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro. The series began two years ago, and Costa is the first speaker under the series’ new name.

He follows in the footsteps of national journalists David Brooks, New York Times columnist who spoke here in May 2016; Doris Kearns Goodwin, world-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author who spoke a year ago; and Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times foreign affairs  columnist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, in April.

Costa has regularly interviewed President Donald Trump since 2013, focusing on Trump’s political ascent. Costa has also concentrated on the evolution of the Republican Party and the battle for power within the GOP.

President Castro said Costa’s appearance continues the trend of inviting nationally known media figures to share their insights and experiences with Central Valley residents.

“As events unfold throughout our nation and civil discourse becomes more imperative for free speech and freedom of the press, these visits by professional journalists like Robert Costa and other notable figures provide a personal connection to the national mood,” said Castro. “Hopefully this opportunity will enlighten us to learn, be open-minded and respectful of each other’s perspective even if we have differences of opinion.”

Costa, who also is a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, frequently appears on national news shows “Meet the Press,” “Morning Joe,” and “Charlie Rose.” His daily in-depth reporting covers both Congress and the White House, but he also travels regularly across the country to report on how policies and politics affect Americans.

Costa’s previous work includes serving as National Review’s Washington editor, a CNBC political analyst and a fellow at The Wall Street Journal.

The New Republic magazine called Costa “the most important reporter in the country” during the 2013 government shutdown. Washingtonian magazine said Costa is “one of the next generation of journalists worth following.”

Costa is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he recently served on the board of trustees, and the University of Cambridge.

The lecture is co-sponsored this year by The Fresno Bee, Valley PBS and KSEE 24.

Doors open for the speech at 5 p.m. Parking at the Save Mart Center will be free.

For more information or disability accommodations, call 559.278.2324.

University Communications news intern Yesenia Candelaria contributed to this report.