U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order cutting federal funding to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), intensifying his long-standing criticism of mainstream media outlets.
The announcement, confirmed by the Associated Press, follows Trump’s recurring description of major news organizations as “the enemy of the people.”
Despite both NPR and PBS relying significantly on private donations and receiving only partial funding from U.S taxpayers, the president directed an immediate halt to their federal support.
“National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive taxpayer funds through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB),” Trump stated in the executive order.
“I therefore instruct the CPB Board of Directors and all executive departments and agencies to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS.”
Trump accused the two organizations of biased reporting, saying, “Neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.”
Although the CPB’s budget has already been approved by Congress through 2027, casting doubts on how the order might be implemented, the directive marks a symbolic step in Trump’s media war.
More than 40 million Americans reportedly tune into NPR weekly, and 36 million viewers access PBS stations each month.
NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, had previously disclosed that NPR expected to receive around $120 million from the CPB in 2025, which she said constitutes “less than five percent of its budget.”
The move drew criticism from media watchdog groups.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a warning Friday about “an alarming deterioration in press freedom” in the U.S under Trump, citing “unprecedented” challenges for independent journalism worldwide.
In response to the order, PBS released a strong statement defending its mission and bipartisan roots.
“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 statement read.
“This public-private partnership allows us to help prepare millions of children for success in school and in life and also supports enriching and inspiring programs of the highest quality.”
