President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order aimed at eliminating federal funding for public broadcasters PBS and NPR, accusing them of disseminating what he called “radical, woke propaganda disguised as news.”
The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other federal agencies to "cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS" and to identify and shut down indirect sources of public financing that support the networks. In a post on social media, the White House claimed the broadcasters “receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’”
While the move does not immediately halt funding—Congress still controls the federal budget—it underscores the administration’s escalating efforts to reduce or eliminate public support for media and cultural institutions seen as ideologically opposed to Trump’s views.
This latest action follows a pattern established during Trump's presidency: using executive authority to punish institutions he views as adversarial. Trump has previously slashed funding for the arts and humanities, fired leadership at key cultural bodies, and sought to curb diversity initiatives in education and law.
Since taking office, Trump has led efforts to reshape or defund organizations like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. He has also pushed federal agencies to withhold grants and contracts from universities and law firms that maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
PBS and NPR receive a significant portion of their funding—around $500 million annually—through the CPB, which serves as a pass-through for federal appropriations to local public broadcasters. That funding supports children's programming, educational content, and cultural reporting, especially in rural areas with limited media options.
Public broadcasting officials and advocates have voiced strong opposition to the move. Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS, called the order a direct threat to public service media that millions of Americans rely on.
“There’s nothing more American than PBS, and our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress,” Kerger said in a statement last month. “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.”
NPR and PBS have faced long-standing criticism from some conservatives who allege liberal bias in coverage. Still, they maintain strict editorial standards and have historically been seen as trusted sources of news across party lines.
Earlier this week, CPB filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the firing of three members of its five-person board. The lawsuit claims the president acted unlawfully and deprived the board of the quorum necessary to carry out its duties.
Meanwhile, the White House announced two weeks ago that it would be seeking to formally rescind CPB funding as part of a broader $9.1 billion budget cut. The proposal has yet to be introduced to Congress and is expected to face resistance, especially from moderate lawmakers in both parties who have long supported public broadcasting.
The order also comes as Trump continues to reshape U.S. international broadcasting. His administration has taken steps to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty—organizations that serve as models of free press abroad. Courts have, in some instances, ruled against the administration, saying it exceeded its authority by withholding funds appropriated by Congress.
While Thursday’s executive order marks a bold political statement, its practical effect remains uncertain. Congress controls the purse strings, and any long-term defunding of PBS and NPR would require legislative approval. Still, the order sends a clear message about the administration’s priorities and its willingness to take aim at institutions that do not align with the president’s views.
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