Trump’s Stance on PBS: Not Defense, But Defunding

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Recent headlines have thrust PBS and NPR into the center of a heated political battle, but not because former President Donald Trump is defending them. In fact, Trump has taken the opposite approach-moving aggressively to strip both organizations of federal funding, citing what he claims is persistent liberal bias and a failure to provide impartial news coverage

On May 1, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other federal agencies to “cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS.” The order further directs agencies to root out any indirect sources of public financing for these organizations.

The White House justified this move by alleging that PBS and NPR “receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news’” and that government funding of news media is “outdated and unnecessary” in today’s diverse media landscape.

Trump and his supporters argue that NPR and PBS have become vehicles for left-leaning perspectives and have not adhered to the principles of fairness and impartiality that public funding requires. The administration points to editorial decisions, coverage of social issues, and alleged lack of political diversity among staff as evidence of bias. The White House’s announcement included criticisms of specific PBS programming and editorial choices, such as coverage of transgender issues and the perceived imbalance in reporting on political extremism.

This move is not isolated. Since his first term, Trump has repeatedly targeted institutions he views as hostile or biased, including the arts, education, and public media. The executive order follows years of Republican complaints about public broadcasters and comes amid a broader campaign to defund organizations conservatives view as promoting liberal agendas.

Leaders at PBS and NPR have strongly pushed back against the accusations and the funding cuts. PBS CEO Paula Kerger warned that defunding would “disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide to the American people,” especially in rural and underserved communities that rely heavily on federal support.

NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, emphasized the importance of public media’s role in providing reliable news and cultural programming, particularly during times of national uncertainty.

Contrary to any suggestion that Trump is defending PBS, the reality is that he is leading a renewed effort to defund it, citing allegations of bias and partisanship. The move has sparked fierce debate about press freedom, government accountability, and the future of public broadcasting in America.