Trump Asks Congress to Cut $9B From NPR, PBS, Foreign Aid

4 Jun at 2:00 pm

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Trump Asks Congress to Cut $9B From NPR, PBS, Foreign Aid/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump asked Congress to rescind $9.4 billion in approved funding, targeting NPR, PBS, and foreign aid programs. The move intensifies Trump’s broader campaign against perceived media bias and seeks to implement DOGE-recommended federal cuts. Public media leaders warn of severe consequences for rural stations, while some GOP senators express concern over global health cuts.

Republicans Push to Defund NPR and PBS Broadcasting — FILE – The headquarters for National Public Radio (NPR) stands on North Capitol Street, April 15, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Trump Pushes $9B Cuts to NPR, PBS, Foreign Aid: Quick Looks

Trump Sends $9.4B Rescission Request to Congress: Proposal includes $1.1B in cuts to public media and $8.3B from foreign aid budgets.
NPR and PBS at Center of Dispute: Trump says broadcasters are “biased”; both outlets have sued over an earlier executive order.
GOP Leadership Supports Move: Speaker Mike Johnson says rescission aligns with DOGE findings and Republican priorities.
Impact on Local News Feared: NPR warns of station closures, staff cuts, and diminished programming in underserved areas.
PBS Decries ‘Devastating’ Cuts: CEO Paula Kerger highlights potential harm to small, rural broadcasters and emergency services.
Public Media Defends Bipartisan Legacy: Broadcasters point to decades of congressional support for educational content.
Foreign Aid Cuts Include PEPFAR Funds: Sen. Susan Collins voices concern over proposed reductions to African AIDS programs.
Congress to Vote Soon: House Republicans plan to bring the bill to the floor next week with Trump’s backing.

Public Broadcasting Fights Back Against Trump Defunding — FILE – President and CEO of PBS Paula Kerger speaks during the PBS Executive Session at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Feb. 2, 2019, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

Deep Look: Trump Requests $9.4 Billion in Cuts to NPR, PBS, and Foreign Aid

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is seeking to claw back $9.4 billion in funding approved by Congress, targeting both public media institutions like NPR and PBS and foreign aid programs, in a bold move to reshape federal spending around Republican priorities.

The formal rescission request, submitted Tuesday, includes $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)—the primary federal funder for NPR and PBS—and $8.3 billion from foreign assistance managed by USAID and the African Development Foundation.

An Ideological Battleground

This marks a significant escalation in Trump’s long-standing effort to cut federal ties to news organizations he has frequently labeled as hostile or biased. It follows an executive order signed last month instructing CPB to “cease direct funding” to NPR and PBS—prompting both media groups to sue the administration.

“Now that this wasteful spending has been identified by DOGE, quantified by the administration, and sent to Congress, House Republicans will fulfill our mandate,” read a joint statement from House GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

The statement emphasized GOP intent to “codify a more efficient federal government”, adding that the rescissions bill would be brought to the House floor for a vote next week.

Public Media Responds: Deep Cuts, Devastating Impact

NPR CEO Katherine Maher warned that the funding cuts would result in “immediate budget shortfalls” for local and national stations, leading to:

Cancellation of beloved public programs
Job losses in public media newsrooms
The collapse of music stations reliant on CPB-negotiated music licenses
A sharp decline in service to rural and remote areas

“Rescission would irreparably harm communities across America who count on public media,” Maher said in a statement.

PBS CEO Paula Kerger echoed the alarm, calling the proposed cuts “devastating”—especially for rural and small-market stations that rely heavily on federal dollars.

“Without PBS member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and vital emergency services,” she said, emphasizing the public-private partnership model that has sustained public media for decades.

Foreign Aid Cuts Under Scrutiny

The package’s international implications also sparked concern, particularly surrounding cuts to PEPFAR, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which supports treatment across Africa.

“I am concerned about PEPFAR — very concerned,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), signaling that deeper review is needed.

Despite this, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) expressed confidence that the legislation would eventually pass, bolstered by strong support from House Republicans and a direct endorsement from Trump.

Strategic Timing and Political Messaging

Trump’s request comes at a politically charged moment. The proposed legislation—nicknamed the “Big Beautiful Bill” by Republicans—is central to the Trump administration’s budget-cutting agenda and a symbolic gesture to GOP voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Public media has become a cultural flashpoint for Trump-aligned Republicans, who claim broadcasters harbor institutional bias. By targeting NPR and PBS, Trump appears to be solidifying his position among conservative base voters, while also leveraging budget policy to reshape domestic discourse.

What’s Next?

Congressional Republicans plan to advance the rescission bill next week in the House. The bill’s fate in the Senate is less certain, especially if moderate Republicans like Collins object to the foreign aid provisions.

Meanwhile, NPR and PBS are expected to continue their legal challenge against Trump’s executive order, as they seek to protect federal funding channels that sustain hundreds of local stations and critical public services nationwide.