NPR urged longtime host Ari Shapiro to one of the most visible gay employees Ari Shapiro to not attend pride events, then reversed the decision after emails leaked to many newsroom staff and media outlets.
As the Trump administration cracks down on diversity, equity and inclusion policies, the obvious switch-up of public broadcasters on corporate LGBTQ events comes as Republicans fight to unsubscribe some of their NPR funds.
“The guidance in the Ethics Handbook is to 'avoid appearances in private industry and corporate functions,'' Tony Kavin, managing editor of NPR standards and practices, wrote in an email to Shapiro on Wednesday. According to Semafor.
“This is a closed corporate event, so I think it's best to just decline politely,” Cavin added.
NPR did not respond immediately to requests to post comments.
According to Semafor Report, Shapiro, who joined NPR's “all things that are all considered” as a host in 2015, emailed Cavin in an email asking about it a few minutes later.
“Every year I spoke to corporate pride events and you personally signed off to them, which has never been an issue before,” Shapiro reportedly wrote. “I'm curious to see what's changed.”
He also said the cabin “falsely answered news desks and international editors.”
Later on Wednesday, an NPR spokesman told Semafor that Shapiro would eventually be able to participate in the Pride event.
The Trump administration has defeated Day's Hammer across the private and public sectors.
Soon after taking office, President Trump signed an executive order banning controversial policies across the federal level.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has threatened to investigate private companies that continue to implement “illegal DEIs.”
Around weeks after Trump's inauguration, major companies including Target, Meta and Goldman Sachs and Wall Street Bank cancelled the program.
Last month, NPR's chief diversity officer announced he was resigning, and CEO Katherine Maher said Semafor would not hire a replacement.
Meanwhile, the network is staring at the federal threat of withdrawing funds.
In January, FCC Chair Brendan Kerr began an investigation into NPR and PBS regarding alleged use of “prohibited commercial advertising.”
Elon Musk, the billionaire behind the White House's cost reduction task force, threatens to “return” public stations, claiming that they should “survive on their own.”
The NPR said it receives about 1% of its funds from federal sources each year.
Faced with the threat, public broadcaster PBS closed its diversity office last month and fired two staff members.
According to NPR, PBS receives 16% of the funds from the federal government.
