Trump Pressures GOP Senators To Defund Public Media

President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to wavering Republican senators regarding a rescissions bill that proposes significant cuts to public broadcasting: support the defunding of NPR and PBS or risk losing his endorsement for their reelection campaigns.

As the Senate gears up to July 18 vote on the $9.4 billion clawback package, proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency, which includes slashing $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (overseeing NPR and PBS) and reducing foreign aid, several Republicans have voiced concerns about the media cuts.

“I cannot support the rescissions package in its current form,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on Wednesday, specifically citing the provisions targeting PBS and NPR.

Other conservative senators have expressed worries about the bill’s impact on rural and Native American communities that depend on public broadcasting for communication, particularly for emergency messaging. 

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) emphasized the need to preserve funding for these areas, stating, “We’re not aiming to eliminate all rescissions, but to protect those critical for rural communities. This is how they stay connected.” 

He indicated openness to negotiating with the White House.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also opposes the bill as drafted and plans to propose amendments.

“I’m working with committee members to explore changes to the rescissions package,” she said Wednesday.

Trump, who has long criticized public broadcasting as anti-MAGA, escalated his stance Thursday night on Truth Social, threatening to support primary challenges against Republicans who don’t back the bill.

“All Republicans must support my Recissions Bill and DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), worse than CNN & MSDNC combined,” he wrote, using his nickname for MSNBC. “Any Republican voting to keep this monstrosity broadcasting will lose my support or Endorsement. Thank you!”

The rescissions package follows Trump’s May executive order demanding the elimination of all federal funding for public media, citing alleged anti-conservative bias. This push aligns with his months-long campaign to defund NPR and PBS, which rely on government funds for 1% and 15% of their budgets, respectively.