Trump Administration Proposes Drastic Cuts to Public Media Funding
Updated April 15, 2025 at 13:28 PM ET
The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to significantly reduce federal funding for public media, a move that could deeply impact NPR and PBS. A memo detailing this proposal is set to be sent to Congress after its recess ends on April 28. This memo will trigger a 45-day period during which Congress can either accept the cuts or allow the funds to be restored.
A White House official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the plan to withdraw nearly all federal support for public broadcasters. In a recent statement, the White House criticized NPR and PBS, accusing them of spreading “radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.'” The administration’s stance is that American taxpayers should not fund such content, which they claim is biased against conservative viewpoints.
NPR and PBS are renowned for their programming, such as NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as PBS’s News Hour and children’s shows like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Despite their popularity, Trump has taken to social media to urge Republicans to sever ties with these organizations, labeling them as “radical left ‘monsters.'” His post further emphasized the need to defund these networks.
The administration’s proposal involves rescinding approximately $1.1 billion, equivalent to two years of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which partly finances NPR and PBS. This move follows a recent House Oversight subcommittee hearing questioning the networks’ alleged bias against conservatives.
Both NPR and PBS have expressed concern over the proposed cuts. NPR stated that eliminating CPB funding would severely impact communities reliant on public radio for essential news and emergency alerts. Similarly, PBS President Paula Kerger warned that the cuts would disrupt their ability to provide vital services to Americans, emphasizing the bipartisan support historically received from Congress.
Political Bias Allegations
During a congressional hearing, NPR and PBS leaders defended their mission to deliver unbiased news, but faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the networks for perceived bias, while others questioned NPR’s political neutrality based on past social media posts by its chief, Katherine Maher.
PBS faced scrutiny over a controversial video involving a drag performer, which PBS President Paula Kerger clarified was only available on a local station’s website. Both networks reach over 99% of the U.S. population, providing crucial services, especially in emergencies.
The CPB received $535 million for the current fiscal year, with its budget approved on a two-year cycle to minimize political influence. The funding primarily supports local stations, with a significant portion allocated to television, which is costlier than radio.
Public broadcasting leaders warned that losing this financial support would cripple smaller stations, particularly in rural areas. Alaska Public Media’s CEO Ed Ulman highlighted the importance of CPB funding for sharing stories from Alaska with a broader audience.
A Pew Research Center poll revealed that 43% of Americans support federal funding for NPR and PBS, but opinions are split along party lines, with 44% of Republicans favoring cuts and 69% of Democrats supporting continued funding.
Media Under Fire
Historically, public broadcasting has enjoyed bipartisan support, but Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump to lead the FCC, has initiated an investigation into NPR and PBS over alleged advertising violations, challenging their nongovernmental financial support.
Trump’s administration has faced legal challenges over its aggressive stance on other federally funded media, with courts stepping in to protect organizations like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty from funding cuts.
Despite these setbacks, the administration continues its efforts to reduce federal expenditure on media, taking over the U.S. Institute of Peace in a controversial move that resulted in lawsuits from former employees.
Presidential adviser Kari Lake has echoed Trump’s calls to defund NPR and PBS, using the recent congressional hearing as further justification for these efforts.
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