NY Times Reporter Shares White House Reporting Insights

Zolan Kanno-Youngs to discuss his work covering the Trump and Biden administrations

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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New York Times White House correspondent Zolan Kanno-Youngs will share insights about his work covering immigration, homeland security, criminal justice and inequality in an event at Cornell University on March 17. Kanno-Youngs will also discuss his experience as one of the reporters who sat down with former President Donald Trump for a two-hour interview in the Oval Office in January 2021.

Why it matters

As a veteran White House correspondent, Kanno-Youngs' insights provide an inside look at the challenges and complexities of reporting on the presidency, especially during a period of heightened political polarization and evolving national priorities.

The details

Kanno-Youngs joined the New York Times in 2019 to cover the Department of Homeland Security, breaking stories on the detention of migrants, immigration enforcement, the Secret Service, protests and the Trump administration's response to national emergencies. He joined the White House beat in 2021, covering President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, their domestic and foreign policy agendas and candidacies in the 2024 election.

  • Kanno-Youngs will be on campus as a Zubrow Distinguished Visiting Journalist in A&S.
  • The event "Reporting on the White House: View from the Inside" will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 5 p.m.

The players

Zolan Kanno-Youngs

A New York Times White House correspondent who has covered the Trump and Biden administrations.

Peter John Loewen

The Harold Tanner Dean of Arts and Sciences and professor of government in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University.

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What they’re saying

“It has been a privilege to report on the White House and show how the Trump administration's policies are impacting the public during such a crucial time in American history. I believe curiosity is key to The New York Times's mission of helping people understand the world. And I hope to bring that curiosity to the classrooms and campus of Cornell University this March. More than anything, I'm thrilled to meet and learn from the faculty and student body.”

— Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times White House Correspondent (New York Times)

What’s next

Kanno-Youngs' event at Cornell University on March 17 is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for the campus community to engage with the veteran White House reporter.

The takeaway

As a leading voice in White House reporting, Kanno-Youngs' insights offer a unique perspective on the evolving dynamics of presidential politics and the challenges of covering the executive branch during a period of heightened partisanship and shifting policy priorities.