Media: School Safety Expert

Dr. Kenneth S. Trump is one of the most widely quoted U.S. school security experts:

  • all national television network news and cable news channels
  • top 50 national newspapers, all wire services, and international print
  • radio news, talk shows, and other programs – national and international
  • local and national morning shows

Media inquiries are welcome at any time:

  •  during regular business hours
  •  after-hours
  •  on weekends

For general media inquiries contact Ken Trump directly

Breaking news, tight deadlines, evenings and weekends

Calls to the office number are forwarded to Ken’s cell phone for fast response.
Always call and back up your request with an e-mail to Ken Trump.

Biographical Information

Click here for Ken’s biographical summary.

(Dr. Ken is no relation to the former U.S. President – a frequently asked question.)

Major Networks and Newspapers turn to Ken Trump during a crisis

As the mass school shootings in Parkland and Uvalde unfolded, Ken was live with national and local U.S. media, as well as international news officials, to provide analysis, commentary, and context to these devastating school safety crises.  He provided hundreds of interviews over the days following these attacks to help provide clarity and a “voice of reason” during these times of high ambiguity and uncertainty facing our nation’s schools.

When a gunman killed 26 children and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December, 2012, journalists across the country called Ken.  The Today Show flew Ken to Newtown, CT, for live interviews. He was on NBC Nightly News. CNN anchors interviewed him live from Newtown. And he appeared on network nightly news and morning shows, in cable live hits, and in online and print publications.

In February, 2012, Ken was on scene following a school shooting where three students were killed at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio. He interviewed live with CNN from Chardon’s town square. He also did freelance producing work behind-the-scenes for the local Cleveland ABC-affiliate, attending press conferences, asking questions, conducting interviews, and producing online content, while also providing in-studio live on-air expert analysis.

Ken knows the unique needs of each type of media outlet
He has extensive media experience with live and recorded television interviews, as well as Zoom, Cisco Webex, Skype, Facetime, radio, online, and print interviews nationwide. He provides expert analysis on school safety issues, addressing the concerns of parents, children, educators, police and policy makers. Ken is direct, insightful, and does not shy from controversy when safety is at stake.

Journalists find Ken to be highly credible, analytical, credentialed, independent, and candid as a school safety professional with cutting-edge knowledge. He has worked with school and safety officials in all 50 states and internationally. “Dr. Ken” earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education with a research focus on the intersection of school administrator strategic crisis leadership with school safety communications in highly ambiguous and uncertain contexts.  He earned Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Social Service (Criminal Justice concentration) degrees from Cleveland State University. Ken has more than 2,500 hours of specialized training on school safety and security, crisis preparedness planning, gang and drug issues, terrorism and emergency management, and related school and youth safety topics.

Ken also understands what journalists need because he worked as a freelance reporter and producer at the local ABC affiliate in Market #18. He meets deadlines, comes to the table with extensive original research, and practices the art of quotes and sound bites. He travels with his own IFB and electronic tools that make it easy to work with him in a digital environment.

On Televison
Ken’s appearances have included Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Fox and Friends, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, CNN Headline News, PBC News Hour, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News, ABC 20/20, Nightline, Court TV, and more.

On Radio
Ken has been heard on ABC Radio News, CBS Radio, CNN Radio, National Public Radio News, All Things Considered (NPR), Voice of America, American Family Radio, BBC News (London), German Public Radio, Red FM (Ireland), and more.

Online and in Print
Ken’s insights have been included in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Education Week, Christian Science Monitor, Time Magazine, The Huffington Post, The Associated Press, Reuters, Gannett News Service, Newhouse News Service, Scripps News,, The Times (London), Agence France Presse, the top 50 daily U.S. newspapers, and more.

Watch samples of Ken Trump’s interviews on our video page.