In a late-night move on Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at cutting funding for NPR and PBS.
He stated, “Media outlets don’t have a constitutional right to taxpayer subsidies. The government can choose which subsidies to provide,” directing a stop to both direct and indirect federal funding for these public broadcasting entities.
Trump criticized the two organizations for allegedly presenting biased information to the public.
He emphasized that “the perspectives offered by NPR and PBS aren’t crucial; what matters is that they fail to deliver a fair, accurate, or impartial representation of current events to taxpaying citizens,” as he ordered their funding be suspended.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) responded by disputing Trump’s authority over their funding, with CPB President Patricia Harrison highlighting that the agency operates independently of the federal government, having been established by Congress as a private nonprofit.
Harrison noted, “Congress specifically forbade any federal entities or employees from controlling educational television and radio broadcasts.” Funding for the CPB has already been approved through September 2027.
NPR depends on about 1% of its funds from the federal government, while its 246 member stations generally receive between 8% and 10% of their funding from the CPB. PBS, on the other hand, sees roughly 15% of its revenue coming from federal funds, as reported by NPR.
Having served the public for over 50 years, representatives of both organizations claim that these funding cuts could significantly impact marginalized communities.
NPR CEO Katherine Maher expressed concerns, stating, “The most affected will be rural stations or those with complex needs. The costs for broadcasting and maintaining infrastructure are quite high.” She added that some local stations might have to reduce services or even shut down altogether.
PBS CEO Paula Kerger echoed these worries, stressing that their work relies heavily on bipartisan support from Congress. Kerger reiterated, “This collaboration is crucial for millions of children, helping them prepare for success in education and life through high-quality programming,” and mentioned that PBS is actively considering options to continue serving its member stations and the public.
Trump’s executive order follows attempts to limit journalistic voices, although a federal judge recently blocked such efforts.
It remains uncertain whether NPR or PBS will challenge the proposed funding cuts through legal action, particularly as the public voices a pressing need for their services.
Maher pointed out that approximately 20% of Americans lack local news coverage outside public radio stations. “These services are vital,” she remarked. “Just because not everyone uses interstate highways every day doesn’t mean they aren’t essential when you need them.”
Additionally, Trump has reportedly urged Republican lawmakers to pursue funding cuts for both organizations. Earlier this month, a House subcommittee questioned Maher and Kerger regarding alleged biases and fundraising practices during hearings.
In parallel, the Federal Communications Commission has initiated an investigation into media outlets concerning the legality of airing certain advertisements.
Updated at 1:44pm.
