Trump’s Executive Order Targets Federal Funding for PBS and NPR
On Thursday, President Trump formalized an executive order intended to reduce public financial support for PBS and NPR. He accused these organizations of delivering biased content in their coverage.
Details of the Executive Order
The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and associated federal entities to halt federal funding for NPR and PBS. Additionally, it requires these organizations to eliminate indirect sources of public financing.
The White House’s announcement emphasized that these outlets “receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’” This follows longstanding criticism from Republican lawmakers regarding the funding of public broadcasting.
Impact on Public Broadcasting
Public broadcasting receives approximately $500 million in federal support through the CPB. Both NPR and PBS have been preparing for potential budget cuts since Trump’s election, given the ongoing Republican discontent with their funding.
Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS, expressed concerns over the administration’s actions, stating that cutting funding could “disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide to the American people.” She highlighted the importance of bipartisan backing received from Congress in sustaining public broadcasting initiatives.
Legal Challenges and Future Proposals
This week, the CPB initiated a lawsuit against President Trump, claiming that his decision to terminate three members of its five-person board overstepped his authority. The lawsuit argues that this action compromises the board’s ability to perform its functions due to a lack of quorum.
Furthermore, the White House recently indicated that it would be requesting Congress to withdraw funding for the CPB as part of a broader proposal that includes $9.1 billion in budget cuts. However, this proposal has not yet been presented to Congress, according to budget director Russell Vought.
In summary, President Trump’s executive order represents a significant shift in funding policy for public broadcasting, igniting both legal disputes and concerns about the future of PBS and NPR.