"Silencing the Airwaves?"

Trump Signs Executive Order to Cut Federal Funding for Public Radio and Television

Washington, D.C. — May 2, 2025

Extending his long-standing criticism of public media, former President Donald Trump signed a broad executive order to cut off federal funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR). Signed aboard Air Force One and made public late Wednesday evening, the directive instructs federal agencies to stop providing discretionary funding to public television and radio to the extent that the law permits.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a nonprofit that distributes federal funds to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations nationwide, is the specific target of the executive order. The federal government gives the CPB over $500 million a year, which it uses to support local public broadcasting programs, educational materials, and news programming.

Trump asserted in the executive order that public broadcasters like PBS and NPR have "abandoned the public interest" and are now "platforms for left-wing propaganda." He maintained that organizations that "promote political agendas contrary to the values of many Americans" shouldn't be subsidized by taxpayers.

In a statement, Trump stated, "This is a matter of fairness and fiscal responsibility." "Media that actively works against the interests of the American people should not be funded by us."

A Hit to Local Education and Journalism:

Even though NPR and PBS only get around 1% and 15% of their budgets directly from the federal government, respectively, many small-town and rural stations rely significantly on CPB grants. These stations, which frequently have no other revenue streams, depend on federal funding to provide emergency alerts, in-depth local news, and educational children's programming.

The executive order, according to critics of the action, could have disastrous effects on cultural programming and community-based journalism, particularly in underprivileged areas.

According to PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger, "PBS is one of the few truly nonpartisan media outlets remaining in America." "This action jeopardizes teacher support, educational services for children, and programming that represents the diversity of the American experience."

That sentiment was echoed by NPR CEO John Lansing, who emphasized that the organization's goal is to provide "fact-based, independent journalism that informs and educates." "A dangerous political stunt with real consequences for millions of Americans who rely on public radio every day," he said of the executive order.

Political and Legal Consequences:

Legal experts predict that there will be immediate challenges to the order. Critics point out that Congress decides how much money goes to the CPB and that the president might not be able to stop or refuse money that Congress has appropriated without the consent of Congress. The legality of Trump's order may be contested using the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which was passed in response to the Nixon administration's attempts to unilaterally control federal spending.

According to constitutional law expert Laurence Tribe, "this is obviously a violation of the separation of powers." Congress has the purse power. It creates a risky precedent for censorship and authoritarian control if the president has the power to unilaterally stop funding media that he dislikes.

An earlier Trump order that sought to remove board members and reroute funding streams has already been challenged in court by the CPB. The legal dispute over federal support for public broadcasting is anticipated to heat up with the new executive order.

A Broader Strategy?

Trump has previously attacked media outlets. He regularly attacked the media both during and after his presidency, calling organizations like CNN, The New York Times, and NPR "fake news." Citing similar claims of bias, Trump also issued an order in March 2025 reducing funding to Voice of America's parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Trump's detractors see the most recent executive action as a component of a larger effort to consolidate media power and erode independent journalism.

"This is not just a budget decision," PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossal stated. "This is an obvious attempt to punish media outlets for reporting the truth and holding those in positions of authority accountable."

Public Response and Uncertain Future:

Journalists, educators, legislators, and advocacy organizations all immediately criticized the announcement. Many Americans pledged to increase their donations to local stations as hashtags like #SavePBS and #SupportNPR swiftly gained popularity on social media.

A number of Congressmen, including moderate Republicans and Democrats, voiced their concerns and pledged to use legislation to safeguard public broadcasting funding.

For many local stations, the future is still uncertain despite public support. Some may experience closures, reduced programming, or layoffs if the funding is blocked or diverted. That could result in a significant loss of important information and services in rural areas where there aren't many other media options.

One thing is certain as legal and political disputes develop: Trump's order has rekindled a national discussion about the function of public media in a democracy and whether or not federal funding for it is a risk or a right.