Trump moves to kill half a Billion in PBS/NPR funding—Calls them “woke propaganda”

Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a controversial executive order aimed at eliminating federal funding for PBS and NPR, escalating his long-running campaign against public media. The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other agencies to cease both direct and indirect financial support for the broadcasters, which he accused of spreading “radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’”

The announcement, made via a White House social media post, marks the most aggressive step yet in Trump’s efforts to use federal power to undermine institutions he claims are politically hostile to his agenda. Since taking office, Trump has targeted a wide array of publicly funded cultural and educational organizations, including libraries, museums, and universities. Thursday’s order continues that pattern, this time taking direct aim at public broadcasters that reach millions of Americans.

PBS and NPR receive about $500 million annually through the CPB, much of which supports local stations and educational programming. Republican lawmakers have long criticized the outlets, alleging liberal bias, but Trump’s executive order goes further than any previous attempt to strip funding.

Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS, responded to the news by defending the organization’s public mission. “There’s nothing more American than PBS,” she said in a statement last month, anticipating the administration’s move. “This public-private partnership allows us to help prepare millions of children for success in school and in life and also supports enriching and inspiring programs of the highest quality.”

The CPB, meanwhile, has taken legal action against the Trump administration. Earlier this week, the organization filed a lawsuit after the president fired three members of its five-person board, a move CPB says exceeds presidential authority and threatens to prevent the board from conducting essential business.

The executive order also comes as part of a broader Trump administration effort to reshape U.S. public broadcasting and media institutions. The administration has sought to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which includes outlets such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Federal courts have already intervened in some cases, ruling that the White House may have overstepped its authority in attempting to withhold funds appropriated by Congress.

Just two weeks ago, Trump’s budget office announced plans to request that Congress rescind funding for CPB as part of a larger $9.1 billion package of cuts. That proposal has yet to be formally submitted.

For now, public media organizations face growing uncertainty as they brace for a potentially devastating loss of funding.