In an executive order signed late Thursday, Donald Trump directed an end to federal funding for NPR and PBS.
Citing concerns over taxpayer subsidization of what the Trump Administration described as biased media, the executive order halts both direct and indirect funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), including funds distributed to local public radio and television stations. It also mandates that the CPB revise its 2025 provisions to explicitly bar funding to NPR and PBS, directs all federal agencies to terminate existing grants or contracts with them, and instructs the FCC and other relevant bodies to investigate the organizations for potential unlawful discrimination.
The White House has also indicated that it will be asking Congress to rescind funding for the CPB as part of a $9.1 billion package of budget cuts.
NPR receives about 1% of its funding directly from the federal government, while its 1,300 member stations get an average of 8% to 10% of their support through the CPB. PBS and its affiliated stations rely on CPB for about 15% of their revenue. Public media representatives have warned that federal budget cuts would disproportionately affect rural outlets and regions underserved by commercial broadcasters.
“Eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would have a devastating impact on American communities across the nation that rely on public radio for trusted local and national news, culture, lifesaving emergency alerts, and public safety information,” NPR said in a statement.
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“We serve the public interest. It’s not just in our name — it’s our mission. Across the country, locally owned public media stations represent a proud American tradition of public-private partnership for our shared common good.”
Paula Kerger, PBS’ CEO and president, stated that, “There’s nothing more American than PBS, and our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress. 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.”
Even before the executive order, the CPB was already at odds with the Trump Administration over the dismissal of three of its board members, arguing that the president lacked the authority to make such a move.
