Trump Announces Termination of Federal Financing for NPR and PBS; Organizations Assert Their Independence Remains Intact
May 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM CDT - Reimagined
Trump's Stealthy Strike Against NPR and PBS
In a late-night power play, President Trump issued an executive order threatening to slash funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). His justification? Allegations of ideological bias.
"These broadcast juggernauts are anything but fair, unbiased, and accurate," the order reads. "The CPB Board must reroute existing federal funds and refuse any future allocations."
But is the President legally entitled to make such financial decisions? That remains to be seen.
Paula Kerger, PBS president, swiftly denounced the order as a "brazen, unconstitutional power grab." The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the organization targeted by the order, is already embroiled in a legal battle with the Trump administration over a separate issue.
CPB, in a statement, declared its independence from executive control, stating that "Congress specifically authorized and funded CPB to function as a private, non-governmental entity." The CPB also noted that the law prohibits any federal interference in its broadcasting activities.
Congress has been funding CPB through 2027 and designates how the funds are spent. For public broadcasters, federal funds account for a small percentage of their overall revenue. NPR typically receives about 1% directly, with its member stations receiving an additional 8-10%. PBS and its stations receive approximately 15%.
Trump's order seems to imply continued federal subsidies for other public radio and television stations—just not NPR and PBS. However, this contradicts Trump's earlier pledge to seek congressional approval to abolish all public broadcasting funds.
The controversy comes as Trump has intensified his verbal attacks on public media, stoking his supporters' distrust of mainstream news outlets. On social media platforms, he's lambasted NPR and PBS, claiming they are "radical left monsters" harming the country.
responding to the order, NPR vowed to fiercely protect its right to deliver essential news, programs, and services to the American public. The network voiced concern that the order threatens the airing of its newscasts and popular programs like Morning Edition and Tiny Desk Radio.
The allegations of ideological bias have heated up in recent months. In March, leaders of NPR and PBS testified before a House oversight committee, facing questions about their unbiased reporting. Republican lawmakers accused NPR President Katherine Maher of holding political biases, while PBS CEO Paula Kerger was grilled over a controversial children's program.
Last week, the Federal Election Commission dismissed a complaint of bias and illegal electioneering against NPR, affirming its role as a legitimate source of news.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an investigation into NPR and PBS, questioning their non-commercial status and funding practices. Both broadcasters insist they have followed FCC guidelines and sought private financial support for years.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding battle between executive power and press freedom.
- The validity of Trump's executive order to slash funding for NPR and PBS, based on allegations of ideological bias, is yet to be seen.
- On Thursday, the general news, crime-and-justice, war-and-conflicts, and policy-and-legislation sections of news outlets are expected to feature the controversy surrounding Trump's order against NPR and PBS.
- The CPB, in its statement, made clear that it is a private, non-governmental entity, independent from executive control, as per the law, which prohibits any federal interference in its broadcasting activities.
- In politics, the allegations of ideological bias have heated up in recent months, with Republican lawmakers questioning the unbiased reporting of NPR and PBS leaders during their testimonies before a House oversight committee.
- The Federal Election Commission recently dismissed a complaint of bias and illegal electioneering against NPR, affirming its role as a legitimate source of news, but the Trump administration's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an investigation into NPR and PBS, questioning their non-commercial status and funding practices.
- As politics continues to shape the landscape of education, news, and media, NPR vowed to fiercely protect its right to deliver essential news, programs, and services to the American public, addressing concerns that Trump's order jeopardizes the airing of its newscasts and popular programs.
