LOS ANGELES — The University of Southern California and KABC-TV abruptly canceled a high-profile 2026 California gubernatorial debate scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 24, after days of intense criticism that its invitation criteria unfairly excluded prominent candidates of color. The event, titled “Your Voice, Your Vote: Race for Governor 2026,” had been set to air live from USC’s Bovard Auditorium and stream statewide.

Seven leading candidates for California governor will face off Tuesday in a major debate hosted by KTVU FOX 2, in partnership with KTTV FOX 11 and the Black Action Alliance. The event, scheduled just months ahead of the June 2 primary, will cover key issues like housing affordability, wildfire preparedness, economic recovery, and public safety. The debate takes place at the Ruth Williams Bay View Opera House in San Francisco from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PST.

Despite their differences as highlighted during Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, President Donald Trump agreed to meet with Mamdani at the White House and on November 21st, President Trump posted on his Truth Social account that “It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!”   In the Oval Office, Mamdani was questioned by a reporter about calling President Trump a fascist, Trump laughed and patted Mamdani as he stated "Yo