Covid, celebrities and a $300M ad blitz

Lady Gaga. Garth Brooks. Billy Joel. Those are some of the celebs the health department wanted for a taxpayer-funded advertising campaign to “defeat despair” about the coronavirus. Instead, they got Dennis Quaid and some lesser-known musicians. POLITICO’s Dan Diamond breaks down the sputtering ad blitz and why it’s getting scrutiny from lawmakers. Plus, the presidential debate commission says it’ll change formats after Tuesday night’s debacle. And a judge delays the release of grand jury recordings in the Breonna Taylor case.

Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

POLITICO's Daniel Lippman first put the spotlight on HHS' campaign. Read more:
HHS bids $250 million contract meant to 'defeat despair and inspire hope' on coronavirus
HHS ad blitz sputters as celebrities back away

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