Trump Signs Executive Order, Cuts Funds to PBS and NPR Citing Bias/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has signed an executive order halting federal funding for PBS and NPR, accusing them of spreading “woke propaganda.” The move escalates his broader campaign to defund cultural and educational institutions that challenge his agenda. Legal and legislative battles are expected as public media groups fight back.
Trump Cuts Funding to PBS and NPR Citing Bias: Quick Looks
- Executive order ends federal funding to PBS, NPR via CPB
- Trump claims public media promotes “radical, woke propaganda”
- Move is part of broader cultural defunding campaign
- Corporation for Public Broadcasting sues over Trump board dismissals
- PBS, NPR rely heavily on federal funds, especially for rural stations
- CPB had been preparing for cuts since Trump’s 2024 election win
- White House proposes $9.1B rescission package including CPB cuts
- Courts have blocked similar Trump efforts against Voice of America
Deep Look: Trump Signs Executive Order to Cut Public Funding to PBS and NPR Amid Media Crackdown
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order directing federal agencies to terminate funding to PBS and NPR, accusing the broadcasters of spreading what he called “radical, woke propaganda” under the guise of public news.
The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)—which distributes funds to both outlets—and other federal entities to eliminate direct and indirect taxpayer support for NPR and PBS. In a social media post announcing the move, the White House said these organizations “receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.'”
This decision is the latest in a series of aggressive actions by the Trump administration to defund, restructure, or shut down cultural and educational institutions that it views as ideologically opposed to its agenda.
“There’s nothing more American than PBS,” PBS CEO Paula Kerger said last month in response to earlier threats. “Our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress.”
CPB Lawsuit Challenges Trump’s Board Overhaul
Earlier this week, the CPB filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the president overstepped his authority when he attempted to fire three of its five board members. The suit contends that Trump’s action would cripple the board’s ability to function by removing its quorum.
This legal battle is just the latest example of institutional pushback against Trump’s efforts to exert control over or eliminate federal support for organizations he has accused of political bias.
Funding Cuts Could Devastate Rural Public Media
The CPB annually distributes roughly $500 million in federal funds to public broadcasting systems across the country. These funds are particularly vital for local PBS and NPR affiliates in rural and underserved communities, which often rely on public money to maintain operations and educational programming.
While urban stations benefit from private donations and corporate underwriting, many smaller stations lack such funding streams. Without federal support, they face potential shutdowns, layoffs, and reduced access to early education content and in-depth journalism.
Kerger emphasized the national impact of the decision:
“This public-private partnership helps prepare millions of children for school and delivers quality educational content that would otherwise not be available.”
Pattern of Cultural and Academic Defunding
Trump’s move to defund NPR and PBS follows a pattern of recent efforts to reshape public institutions by cutting resources and ousting leadership deemed ideologically misaligned. Among these actions:
- Firing leaders at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Proposing the dismantling of the National Endowment for the Humanities
- Blocking research and education grants to universities with diversity initiatives
- Penalizing law firms unless they abandon equity-focused hiring practices
In April, the administration announced plans to submit a $9.1 billion federal rescission package to Congress, which includes eliminating funding for the CPB. While the formal proposal has not yet reached Capitol Hill, budget director Russell Vought said it is the first in a series of planned rollbacks.
Global Media Under Threat
Trump’s media crackdown has also extended beyond domestic public broadcasting. His administration is attempting to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees:
- Voice of America (VOA)
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
- Radio Free Asia
These agencies, intended to support independent journalism abroad, have faced funding holds and leadership purges. Federal courts have already intervened to limit Trump’s authority in these cases, ruling that withholding appropriated funds may violate congressional intent.
What’s Next
Congressional Democrats and public media advocates are expected to challenge the executive order. Lawsuits from CPB and potential appropriations fights on Capitol Hill will determine whether Trump’s directive can be implemented before the end of the fiscal year.
For now, NPR and PBS leadership have vowed to continue operations and programming, leaning on existing donor networks and preparing for further reductions in federal support.
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