Trump Budget Proposes $163 Billion in Cuts, Ends Funding for NPR and PBS

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s latest budget proposal calls for $163 billion in federal spending cuts and includes a sweeping plan to eliminate all taxpayer funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

According to The Wall Street Journal, the president’s blueprint “would cut health research, climate and education programs,” with public media among the most prominent targets. The administration argues that government support for media outlets like NPR and PBS is “outdated and unnecessary” in today’s diverse and competitive news environment.

In an executive order released by the White House on May 1, Trump directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to terminate all direct and indirect funding to NPR and PBS. “Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence,” the order stated.

More to Come

The directive instructs the cpb Board to cancel current grants and revise 2025 funding guidelines to prohibit federal dollars from supporting NPR and PBS. Federal agencies are also ordered to identify and end any contracts or agreements with the two organizations by June 30, 2025, “to the maximum extent allowed by law.”

“No media outlet has a constitutional right to taxpayer subsidies,” the order reads. “The Government is entitled to determine which categories of activities to subsidize.”

The White House criticized NPR and PBS for allegedly failing to provide “fair, accurate, or unbiased” coverage, citing the CPB’s statutory obligation not to support any political party or promote partisan content. The administration further authorized the Secretary of Health and Human Services to assess whether NPR and PBS are in compliance with anti-discrimination laws and to pursue corrective action if necessary.

“The Trump administration’s effort to rescind funding for public media would disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide to the American people,” said Paula Kerger, PBS’ CEO and president, in a statement last month, anticipating yesterday's announcement.

The CPB, created by Congress in 1967, serves as the primary funding conduit for public broadcasting, allocating roughly $500 million annually to support over 1,500 public television and radio stations nationwide. Supporters argue the funding ensures access to educational and cultural programming—particularly in rural and underserved communities where commercial outlets may not be viable.

The order also empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate NPR and PBS for compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws and to take corrective action if violations are found.

While the budget proposal signals a renewed push from Trump to reshape the scope of federal support, implementation depends on congressional approval. Previous attempts to eliminate CPB funding were rejected by bipartisan majorities in Congress.

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