WASHINGTON — The White House has begun to inform Congress of demands to eliminate “all” public broadcasting funds and codify foreign cuts identified by Elon Musk’s government efficiency, the Post learned.
The major clawbacks proposed in the “revival” plan include $1.1 billion in funds allocated for public broadcasting and $8.3 billion from USAID for public broadcasting that funds PBS and National Public Radio.
A memo, drafted by White House budget director Russ Vert, was requested by GOP Congress leaders — CPB denounces “a long history of anti-conservative bias” and cites “waste, fraud, abuse” in USAID.
The official transmission begins a 45-day clock for the Republican-owned House and Senate to adopt or reject the blueprint. This is unlike President Trump’s 2018 withdrawal plan, which failed with a single vote in the Senate.
“Since the first day, the Trump administration has targeted waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending through enforcement measures, Doge reviews, and other efforts by departments and agencies. Congress has expressed a strong interest in supporting those efforts and has requested that the administration send Hill a resignation for Swift’s approval,” says a Vought memo.
“The OMB recommends that the administration respond with two proposals to cut $9.3 billion. The first includes a $8.3 billion withdrawal of wasteful foreign aid spending (out of $22 billion) that will not expire in 2025 (FY).
The White House memo points to NPR CEO Katherine Maher once called President Trump a “fascist” and “crazy racist.” She’s regretting it in the futureand cites two recent PBS programs featuring transgender characters.
NPR and PBS have a diverse range of revenue streams, including major foundation grants, advertising, voluntary audiences and listener contributions. This means that if they lose federal funds, both could suspend operations.
The Musk’s Doge initiative is seeking to cut $1 trillion in annual spending. This amount cuts the annual federal deficit by half.
The memo identifies many examples that say “it shows waste that may continue without retracting.”
The list includes $9.4 million “advocating for change in gender norms,” $3 million on Sesame Street in Iraq, $500,000 on Rwandan electric buses, $6 million for Palestinian media and civil society, $882,000 to fund social media mentorships in Serbia and Berals, $1 million in Indokon in Vot, and $1 million in chondrido in Zambia.
The package includes small cuts from three small institutions that President Trump targeted in his February executive order, which he called for to be stored in “the minimum presence and function required by law.”
Trump attempted one rescue package in his first term. The proposed cut of $14.7 billion passed the House, but was slightly defeated in the Senate with 50-48 votes at the time’s candidate. Richard Barr (R-NC) is following his plan on his objection to zero $16 million of unused money in the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
