PBS CEO Slams $1.1B Funding Cut as ‘Catastrophic’

PBS CEO Paula Kerger Thursday sharply criticized the Senate’s decision to eliminate $1.1 billion in public media funding, a move championed by President Trump, warning it would be “catastrophic” for smaller, rural PBS stations.

In a statement, Kerger said, “The Senate’s rescissions package defies the will of Americans, who overwhelmingly trust PBS and value its contributions to their communities. These cuts will hit all our stations hard, but the impact will be particularly devastating for smaller stations serving vast rural areas.”

Kerger warned that many PBS stations face “tough choices” ahead, likely involving staff reductions and program cuts. In a May interview with Katie Couric, she had cautioned that Trump’s push to defund PBS could force some rural stations off the air, stating, “There won’t be anyone in those communities creating local content or providing a space for people to connect.” 

Paul Kerger

While she didn’t specify how many of PBS’s 330 member stations might close, she suggested digital platforms could partially preserve content access.

President Trump has intensified efforts to defund PBS and NPR, signing a May 1 executive order to end taxpayer support through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The order argued that government-funded media is “outdated” in today’s diverse media landscape and undermines journalistic independence. 

Trump has also labeled PBS and NPR “radical left monsters” on social media, threatening to withdraw support from Republicans who oppose defunding. PBS received $325 million from the CPB in 2025, representing 22% of its funding, with Congress allocating $535 million for public broadcasters this fiscal year.

The rescissions bill now heads to the House with a Friday deadline for passage. Kerger, PBS’s leader since 2006, vowed to find ways to sustain the network without public funds, emphasizing resilience despite the severe financial blow.