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President Donald Trump signed a late-night executive order Thursday directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to end public funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), citing “biased and partisan news coverage” as justification.
The order, which immediately drew backlash and threats of legal action, instructs CPB to “cease federal funding for NPR and PBS” to the extent permitted by law. While symbolic in some ways, the order targets long-established public institutions that Trump and his allies — including tech billionaire Elon Musk — have repeatedly accused of promoting left-leaning narratives.
In a Friday statement, the White House accused the networks of spending “tens of millions of taxpayer dollars annually to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.'”
CPB, NPR, PBS Push Back: “Unlawful,” “Un-American,” “Chilling”
Media leaders issued strong rebukes of the move.
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PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger called the action “blatantly unlawful” and vowed to explore all options to maintain public service broadcasting.
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NPR CEO Katherine Maher said the organization would challenge the order “using all means available,” framing the action as an assault on the First Amendment and public service journalism.
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CPB President Patricia Harrison emphasized that CPB is independent of the executive branch and that Congress alone controls its funding.
Harrison also pointed out that CPB’s structure — as established by Congress in 1967 — intentionally insulated it from presidential influence to preserve journalistic independence.
Trump’s Justification: “Outdated and Corrosive”
Trump’s order argues that government-funded media is outdated in today’s crowded media ecosystem and that funding NPR and PBS undermines perceptions of neutrality. He wrote:
“Which viewpoints NPR and PBS promote does not matter. What does matter is that neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.”
The administration listed specific grievances, including reporting on transgender rights, and NPR’s editorial policy avoiding the term “illegal” for undocumented immigrants — an editorial choice aligned with the Associated Press style guide.
Local and Legal Fallout Begins
The order’s legality is already being challenged. Three CPB board members were removed this week via email, prompting a lawsuit. A judge declined immediate relief but ordered a 48-hour notification window before any further appointments.
Kate Riley, president of America’s Public Television Stations, warned that the order would “devastate the public safety, educational, and local service missions of public media,” especially in rural areas where public stations are often the only source of news and emergency alerts.
Despite public perception, NPR notes that less than 1% of its funding comes directly from federal sources, but that funding plays a critical role in sustaining its 246 member stations, especially in under-resourced communities.
A Longstanding Trump Target
The executive order formalizes a campaign Trump began during his first term, when he labeled public broadcasters as biased and tried to slash their budgets. In 2018, he called NPR and PBS “RADICAL LEFT ‘MONSTERS’” and accused them of “hurting our country.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists warned this week that executive actions under Trump have created a “chilling effect” on press freedom, especially amid his efforts to sideline reporters and reopen FCC investigations into networks like NBC News.
Even Uri Berliner, a former NPR editor who resigned after criticizing the network’s left-leaning culture, did not support defunding, emphasizing that reforms should come from within.
What Happens Next?
The executive order’s future is uncertain. Legal scholars say it may exceed Trump’s constitutional authority, as CPB is a congressionally chartered nonprofit, not a federal agency under White House control.
Still, the move injects new energy into political fights over media independence, taxpayer funding, and culture wars— especially as the 2024 election looms.
