Washington D.C. — United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order halting federal funding to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), labeling the publicly funded media organizations as “the enemy of the people.”
The directive, which was made public on Friday, instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the body that allocates government funding to NPR and PBS, to immediately stop disbursing federal funds to the two networks.
“Neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens,” Trump stated in the order. “I therefore instruct the CPB Board of Directors and all executive departments and agencies to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS.”
NPR and PBS, although partially funded by taxpayers through the CPB, rely primarily on private donations and corporate sponsorships. According to NPR CEO Katherine Maher, the outlet expected to receive approximately $120 million in 2025 from the CPB—representing less than five percent of its annual budget.
Despite Trump’s directive, questions remain about its legal implications, as the CPB’s budget had already been approved by Congress through 2027. Legal experts suggest that changes to funding allocations would likely require Congressional approval.
PBS, in response to the order, condemned the president’s decision, describing it as politically motivated. “There’s nothing more American than PBS, and our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress,” the organization said in a statement. “This public-private partnership allows us to help prepare millions of children for success in school and in life and supports enriching and inspiring programs of the highest quality.”
NPR and PBS collectively reach tens of millions of Americans. NPR estimates more than 40 million weekly listeners across the country, while PBS reports that 36 million people tune into its programming each month.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has raised concerns over press freedom in the U.S., warning of a “deterioration” under Trump and describing “unprecedented” challenges faced by independent journalists globally.
Trump has long expressed animosity toward mainstream media, frequently labeling outlets critical of his administration as “fake news” or “enemies of the people.” While his affinity for conservative outlet Fox News is well known, critics have pointed to what they describe as a sustained campaign to delegitimize independent journalism in the country.
The move to defund NPR and PBS marks one of the most direct actions yet against publicly funded journalism in the United States.
