In yet another clash with the press, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at cutting off federal funding to public broadcasters NPR and PBS, accusing the outlets of failing to provide “fair, accurate, or unbiased” coverage.
“National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive taxpayer funds through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” Trump’s order states. “I therefore instruct the CPB board of directors and all executive departments and agencies to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS.”
It’s a familiar refrain from Trump, who has labeled most media outlets the “enemy of the people” since his first term in office. But this latest move puts two of the nation’s most trusted—and minimally federally funded—news sources directly in his crosshairs.
Symbolic Fight, Questionable Teeth
There’s just one problem: the CPB’s budget is already locked in by Congress through 2027. That means Trump’s executive order, while headline-grabbing, may have little immediate effect on actual funding.
Still, the symbolism is potent. Coming off a week that saw Trump take a jab at Elon Musk and celebrate his administration’s first 100 days, this order continues his pattern of escalating culture war battles—especially with institutions he sees as hostile to his narrative.
And it’s not the first time he’s targeted the CPB. During his first presidency, Trump proposed defunding it entirely, only to be rebuffed by bipartisan lawmakers who saw value in public media’s reach, educational programming, and broad trust across party lines.
NPR and PBS: Trusted by Millions
Together, NPR and PBS reach tens of millions of Americans. NPR estimates that over 40 million people tune into its public radio stations weekly. PBS reports that 36 million Americans watch its local stations each month. These are not fringe operations—they’re central fixtures in American media.
And despite Trump’s claims of bias, surveys consistently rank NPR and PBS among the most trusted news sources in the country. A 2023 Pew Research study found that a majority of Americans—Democrats and Republicans alike—trust PBS more than any major cable news outlet. NPR consistently scores high for accuracy and balance, even among moderates and center-right audiences.
Katherine Maher, CEO of NPR, responded to Trump’s latest move by noting that federal funding represents only a small fraction of the outlet’s overall budget—“less than 5%,” she said. In 2025, that amounted to about $120 million. “While we don’t rely on it to survive, it plays an important role in supporting rural and underserved communities,” Maher added.
Read Also: Dr. Phil Calls Trump a Man of ‘Deep Conviction’: Internet Reminds Him, “34 Convictions, Actually”
Press Freedom Warning from Watchdogs
The executive order also drew swift condemnation from press freedom advocates. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a statement Friday warning of “an alarming deterioration in press freedom” in the United States under Trump’s leadership, adding that the president’s move to defund public broadcasters sends a chilling message.
“This kind of executive action may be largely symbolic, but it’s part of a much larger pattern,” said RSF’s U.S. director. “When a head of state repeatedly tries to undercut independent media—particularly non-profit, public-interest journalism—it sets a dangerous tone both domestically and abroad.”
The group also noted a global trend of governments cracking down on public media, often using “bias” as justification while seeking more centralized control over narratives.
Fox News: The Exception, Not the Rule
While Trump blasts NPR and PBS as biased, he has continued to praise and amplify Fox News—particularly its opinion hosts, some of whom now serve in his administration. The contrast underscores the deeply partisan lens through which Trump views media: outlets that challenge him are enemies; those that flatter him are patriots.
Fox’s cozy relationship with Trump has been well documented. Some of its personalities have effectively acted as outside advisors. And yet, even Fox has not been immune from occasional Trump tirades—suggesting that loyalty, not journalistic standards, is the coin of the realm in Trump’s media world.
What Comes Next?
Despite the executive order, it remains unlikely that NPR or PBS will see a funding cut anytime soon. Congress, which holds the purse strings, has approved CPB funding through 2027—largely thanks to support from both parties. Previous attempts to gut funding for public broadcasters have failed in the face of public backlash.
But make no mistake: Trump’s move isn’t really about the money. It’s about the message.
In a media environment where “fake news” has become a political weapon, targeting NPR and PBS is less about budgets and more about battlegrounds. Trump wants to frame trusted public outlets as part of a liberal establishment elite—regardless of how accurate or balanced their reporting may be.
Whether or not the funding disappears, the cultural clash is the real play. And once again, public media—and the millions of Americans who rely on it—are caught in the crossfire.
