Trump Cuts Federal Funding to NPR and PBS, Escalating Press Freedom Debate
On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to eliminate federal funding for NPR and PBS, citing political bias and misuse of public funds. The decision has raised concerns about the future of public media and press freedom in the U.S.
Trump Cuts Federal Funding to NPR and PBS, Escalating Press Freedom Debate
On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to eliminate federal funding for NPR and PBS, citing political bias and misuse of public funds. The decision has raised concerns about the future of public media and press freedom in the U.S.
President Donald Trump speaks as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from left, Dr. Mehmet Oz and Oz's wife Lisa Oz listen during a swearing in ceremony
On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to eliminate federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
. The measure directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other federal agencies to cease direct and indirect funding to these organizations. The White House has alleged that these stations receive millions of taxpayer dollars to disseminate “radical propaganda disguised as ‘news.’”
The CPB, which administers about $535 million annually in federal funding, distributes grants to more than 1,500 local stations across the country. While NPR receives about 1 percent of its budget directly from CPB, PBS relies on public funds for about 15 percent of its operations. Leaders of both organizations have emphasized the importance of federal support for public service journalism, especially in local communities .
Trump’s decision is part of a broader conservative agenda during his second term, aligned with the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” which proposes significant reforms to American politics, including cuts to public programming and restrictions on civil rights .
The move also comes amid other Trump administration actions that have raised concerns about press freedom, including the Associated Press ban and lawsuits against CBS.
The CPB has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that the attempt to fire its board members exceeds presidential authority and undermines the organization’s independence.
Trump’s upcoming 2026 budget proposal is expected to include substantial cuts to federal programs, reflecting the priorities of his second term. The budget, led by Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, seeks to reduce spending and identify new sources of revenue, such as tariffs.
In addition, the Trump administration has been promoting changes to national holidays, proposing to rename Victory in Europe Day (May 8) and Veterans Day (November 11) as “Victory in World War II Day” and “Victory in World War I Day,” respectively, which has drawn criticism for distorting historical context.
Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, said the Trump administration’s effort to defund public media “would disrupt the essential service that PBS and its local member stations provide to the American people.”
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that the attempt to remove members of its board exceeds presidential authority and undermines the organization’s independence.
The elimination of federal funding could significantly impact the operations of local stations, especially in rural areas, where CPB grants constitute a substantial portion of the budget. The move also raises concerns about the diversity of voices in the media and the public’s access to impartial and quality information.