President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and all federal agencies to cease federal funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR).

The executive order, announced late Thursday, instructs the CPB Board to halt both direct and indirect financial support to PBS and NPR “to the maximum extent allowed by law,” and to revise grant eligibility criteria to ensure no future federal funds reach these organizations. The order also calls for the elimination of any indirect funding, including grants to local stations that might be passed on to PBS or NPR.

The White House justified the move by accusing PBS and NPR of “biased and partisan news coverage,” stating that taxpayer money should not subsidize what it described as “radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news'”. In a statement, the administration argued that public funding for news outlets is “outdated and unnecessary” and potentially undermines perceptions of journalistic independence in a diverse media landscape.

PBS and NPR together receive approximately $500 million annually through the CPB, which accounts for about 15% of PBS’s annual budget and less than 5% of NPR’s operating budget. The majority of their funding comes from private donations, grants, and local station support, but federal dollars are seen as critical for supporting rural and underserved communities.

Leaders of both organizations have warned that the cuts could have “devastating consequences” for millions of Americans who rely on public broadcasting for educational programming, emergency information, and trusted news-especially in rural or low-income areas where alternatives may be limited.

In a statement Friday, Katherine Maher, NPR President and CEO wrote, “This is not about balancing the federal budget. The appropriation for public broadcasting, including NPR and PBS, represents less than 0.0001% of the federal budget. The President’s order is an affront to the First Amendment rights of NPR and locally owned and operated stations throughout America to produce and air programming that meets the needs of their communities. It is also an affront to the First Amendment rights of station listeners and donors who support independent news and information. Although federal funding is an essential aspect of public media, significant financial support comes from listeners, underwriters, and philanthropic grants.

“NPR programming is essential to the economic viability of its 246 Member organizations, generating on average 50% of all public radio listening, despite only accounting for roughly 25% of station programming. Every $1 of federal funding generates $7 from local sources, enabling stations to produce local journalism, support local and regional music and arts, and develop creative, informative, and entertaining programming for distribution across the nation. The local-national partnership between NPR and its Member stations is essential to maintaining the viability and strength of a nationwide public media network.”

While the executive order is the most significant move yet in the Trump administration’s campaign against public media, its immediate impact remains uncertain. Congressional appropriations for the CPB are typically set two years in advance, and Congress has already approved CPB funding through 2027. Legal challenges to the order are expected, with critics arguing that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally defund the CPB or dictate its grantmaking.

The move targeting news organizations is among many others over the last decade:

• ABC, CBS, NBC: The Trump administration’s FCC has opened investigations into all major broadcast networks except Fox News, which has maintained a strategic alliance with Trump. CBS, in particular, has faced lawsuits and regulatory pressure over a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, with the FCC demanding unedited footage and transcripts.
• CNN: Trump has a history of litigation and public attacks against CNN, including defamation lawsuits and attempts to block corporate mergers as retribution for critical coverage.
• The New York Times and The Washington Post: Both have faced lawsuits from Trump for defamation and have been publicly castigated for their investigative reporting.
• Gannett and USA Today: Trump has ongoing lawsuits against Gannett publications for coverage he disputes, and Gannett has faced pressure regarding editorial decisions.
• Pulitzer Prize Board: Trump has sued the Pulitzer committee over awards given for reporting on his 2016 campaign’s connections to Russia.
• Meta (Facebook), X (formerly Twitter): Trump has filed and settled lawsuits with major social media companies over content moderation and bans related to his conduct.
• Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA): U.S.-funded international broadcasters have faced crackdowns, with foreign journalists at risk and the independence of these outlets threatened by new administration policies.
• Local and Regional Outlets: Trump’s campaign of lawsuits and regulatory threats has extended to local newspapers, particularly those covering protests, immigration, or other administration priorities.