Trump Fuels Conspiracy Over Government Payments to Media Outlets

Former President Donald Trump has stirred up a new controversy by sharing claims that the U.S. government has been paying news outlets like Politico to promote favorable coverage of Democrats. However, evidence shows these payments were for something far more ordinary: subscriptions to news services.

On Thursday, Trump took to Truth Social, his social media platform, to allege that “billions of dollars” from government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), had been funneled to what he called “fake news media.” Specifically, he accused Politico, a prominent political news outlet, of receiving $8 million. Trump even questioned whether other major outlets, such as 'The New York Times',had also been paid by the government.

The claims quickly gained traction online, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where users speculated about a supposed link between a payroll issue at Politico and federal payments. Some shared screenshots of government spending records, suggesting that taxpayer money had been improperly used to support media organizations.

However, the truth behind these payments is far less dramatic. According to publicly available records on USAspending.gov, a federal website that tracks government expenditures, the funds in question were used to pay for Politico subscriptions. These subscriptions, particularly to Politico Pro, provide access to in-depth policy analysis, legislative tracking, and other specialized resources. Politico Pro is widely used by government agencies, private companies, and other organizations to stay informed on key issues.

In total, federal agencies have spent over $8 million on Politico subscriptions during the 2024 fiscal year. USAID, for example, paid $44,000 for subscriptions to E&E News, a Politico service that focuses on energy and environmental topics. Politico Pro, which boasts more than 30,000 subscribers, is a valuable tool for professionals who need detailed insights into policy and legislation.

Despite these straightforward explanations, the payments have fueled conspiracy theories among some conservative voices. Trump supporters and even prominent figures like Elon Musk have questioned whether such spending is appropriate. Musk, who is leading efforts to cut government spending, called the payments “not an efficient use of taxpayer funds” and vowed to eliminate them. He pointed to a $517,855 payment in 2020 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Politico Pro subscriptions as an example of wasteful spending.

The White House has also weighed in on the issue. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the government is reviewing its expenditures line by line and is already working to cancel unnecessary payments. “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly,” she said.

In response to the controversy, Politico’s leadership issued a memo to staff clarifying the situation. John Harris, the editor-in-chief, and Goli Sheikholeslami, the chief executive, emphasized that Politico has never received government subsidies or funding beyond payments for subscriptions. “Not one cent, ever, in 18 years,” they wrote. The memo also noted that the majority of Politico Pro’s subscribers are in the private sector, not the government.

Politico declined to comment further, standing by the statements made in the memo. The organization also pointed out that it is normal for subscribers, including government agencies, to review their contracts when it’s time for renewal. “We are confident that most of our federal government subscribers will see the continued value in our services,” the memo stated.

Interestingly, records show that government agencies also paid for Politico subscriptions during Trump’s presidency. For instance, in 2017, the Executive Office of the President allocated $97,720 for Politico services. This highlights that such spending is not unique to any one administration.

Despite the facts, Trump escalated the rhetoric in his Truth Social post, calling this situation “the biggest scandal of them all, perhaps the biggest in history!” His all-caps declaration has added fuel to the fire, ensuring that the conspiracy theory continues to spread among his supporters.

The situation underscores the growing divide over how information is interpreted and shared in today’s political climate. While subscription payments to news outlets may seem mundane, they’ve become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing battle over trust in the media and government transparency. For now, Politico and other outlets will likely continue to face scrutiny, even as they maintain that their operations are aboveboard.