Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing an end to federal funding for PBS and NPR, two public media organizations that the White House accused of promoting “radical woke propaganda.”
The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other federal agencies to stop distributing taxpayer dollars to the networks. It also calls for identifying and eliminating indirect sources of government support for the two outlets.
“President Trump just signed an executive order ENDING the taxpayer subsidization of NPR and PBS – which receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news,’” the White House said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
PBS and NPR receive a significant portion of their funding—about $500 million annually—through the CPB. Both organizations had been anticipating potential funding cuts following Trump’s re-election.
PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger responded last month, warning that defunding public media would disrupt the important services PBS and its local stations provide.
“There’s nothing more American than PBS, and our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress,” she said. “This public-private partnership helps prepare millions of children for school and supports high-quality, inspiring programming for all Americans.”
The CPB recently filed a lawsuit against Trump, arguing that he overstepped his authority by attempting to remove three of its five board members—an action that would prevent the board from reaching a quorum and carrying out its duties.
This move to cut ties with PBS and NPR is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape U.S. public media, including dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media. That agency oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which were created to promote independent journalism in regions with restricted press freedoms.
Some of these efforts have been challenged in federal court, with rulings stating that the administration may have gone beyond its legal bounds by withholding funds appropriated by Congress.
NPR responded to the executive order, telling Fox News Digital that it has worked for over 50 years with local nonprofit public media organizations to serve American communities with trusted news and information.
“NPR’s editorial practices are independent and free from influence by any political party, individual, or commercial interest,” a spokesperson said. “Millions of Americans rely on NPR member stations for in-depth, fact-based journalism. Federal funding is essential to our mission and that of all public media.”
Fox News Digital has requested further comment from NPR.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
