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President Trump signs executive order directing federal funding cuts to PBS and NPR

ARLINGTON, VA - FEBRUARY 18: A sign for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is seen on its building headquarters on February 18, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. The federal government's partial funding of the Public Broadcasting Service is now being examined by Elon Musk's U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has also called upon the head of PBS to testify in front of Congress next month on alleged news bias. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Kayla Bartkowski
ARLINGTON, VA - FEBRUARY 18: A sign for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is seen on its building headquarters on February 18, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. The federal government's partial funding of the Public Broadcasting Service is now being examined by Elon Musk's U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has also called upon the head of PBS to testify in front of Congress next month on alleged news bias. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
SOURCE: Kayla Bartkowski
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President Trump signs executive order directing federal funding cuts to PBS and NPR
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order aiming to slash public subsidies to PBS and NPR as he alleged “bias” in the broadcasters’ reporting.The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS" and further requires that that they work to root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organizations. The White House, in a social media posting announcing the signing, said the outlets “receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news.'”The broadcasters get roughly half a billion dollars in public money through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and have been preparing for the possibility of stiff cuts since Trump's election, as Republicans have long complained about them.Paula Kerger, PBS’ CEO and president, said in a statement last month that the Trump administration’s effort to rescind funding for public media would “disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide to the American people.”“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 allows us to help prepare millions of children for success in school and in life and also supports enriching and inspiring programs of the highest quality.”The Corporation for Public Broadcasting sued Trump earlier this week over his move to fire three members of its five-person board, contending that the president was exceeding his authority and that the move would deprive the board of a quorum needed to conduct business.Just two weeks ago, the White House said it would be asking Congress to rescind funding for the CPB as part of a $9.1 billion package of cuts. That package, however, which budget director Russell Vought said would likely be the first of several, has not yet been sent to Capitol Hill.___AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order aiming to slash public subsidies to PBS and NPR as he alleged “bias” in the broadcasters’ reporting.

The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS" and further requires that that they work to root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organizations. The White House, in a social media posting announcing the signing, said the outlets “receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news.'”

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The broadcasters get roughly half a billion dollars in public money through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and have been preparing for the possibility of stiff cuts since Trump's election, as Republicans have long complained about them.

Paula Kerger, PBS’ CEO and president, said in a statement last month that the Trump administration’s effort to rescind funding for public media would “disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide to the American people.”

“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 allows us to help prepare millions of children for success in school and in life and also supports enriching and inspiring programs of the highest quality.”

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting sued Trump earlier this week over his move to fire three members of its five-person board, contending that the president was exceeding his authority and that the move would deprive the board of a quorum needed to conduct business.

Just two weeks ago, the White House said it would be asking Congress to rescind funding for the CPB as part of a $9.1 billion package of cuts. That package, however, which budget director Russell Vought said would likely be the first of several, has not yet been sent to Capitol Hill.

___

AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed.