Trump Formally Proposes $1.1B Claw Back For Public Media

With Elon Musk gone, the next act of streamlining government is now set to play out on Capitol Hill—and publicly funded media and foreign aid are first to be targeted.  President Donald Trump has formally proposed cutting $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports public media organizations like NPR and PBS, as part of a broader $9.4 billion rescission package. 

The amount represents roughly two years of CPB funding, which annually distributes about $535 million to public radio and TV stations and programming. The proposal, reported on April 14, 2025, aims to eliminate nearly all federal support for public broadcasting, except for approximately $100 million allocated for emergency communications.

Key Details:

Executive Order: On May 1, 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing the CPB to cease direct and indirect funding to NPR and PBS, citing alleged bias and "left-wing propaganda" in their reporting. The order instructs the CPB to revise its 2025 grant provisions to prohibit funding for these outlets and mandates federal agencies to terminate any related grants or contracts.

Claw Back Request: On Tuesday, Trump formally asked Congress to rescind the $1.1 billion, part of a package that also includes $8.3 billion in cuts to foreign aid through USAID. Congress has 45 days to approve the rescission with a simple majority, though Republican control of both chambers is slim, and some GOP lawmakers, like Sen. Lisa Murkowski, support retaining funding due to the value of local stations.

The Trump administration argues that NPR and PBS produce biased content, with claims of promoting "radical, woke propaganda." They assert that government funding for media is outdated given the diverse media landscape and undermines journalistic independence. The White House has cited specific coverage, like NPR’s reporting on transgender issues, as evidence of bias.

Impact on Public Broadcasting: Funding Breakdown: NPR receives about 1% of its budget directly from federal sources, with 8-10% of member stations’ budgets from CPB grants. PBS gets about 15% of its revenue from CPB, with local stations relying heavily on these funds, especially in rural areas. Loss of funding could lead to station closures, particularly in smaller markets, and reduced services like emergency alerts and educational programming.

Public Media Response: NPR and PBS, along with the CPB, have called the executive order “blatantly unlawful,” arguing it violates the Public Broadcasting Act and First Amendment protections. They emphasize the role of public media in providing trusted news and emergency services, with NPR noting that each federal dollar generates $7 in local funding. Both organizations are preparing legal challenges.
Public and Political Sentiment: 

A Pew Research poll showed 43% of U.S. adults favor continued funding for NPR and PBS, with 44% of Republicans supporting cuts and 69% of Democrats opposing them. While public broadcasting has historically enjoyed bipartisan support, some Republicans, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have long criticized it as a “left-wing echo chamber.”