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President Donald Trump warned congressional Republicans on Thursday that he would withdraw his support from any member who opposes his proposed cuts to public broadcasting, including NPR and PBS.
The warning follows the House’s narrow passage of a $9.4 billion rescissions package on June 12 that includes more than $1 billion in cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Senate has until July 18 to act on the measure.
“It is very important that all Republicans adhere to my Rescissions Bill and, in particular, DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), which is worse than CNN & MSDNC put together,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, using his nickname for MSNBC, which he often calls an extension of the Democratic National Committee.
“Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement,” he added.
Despite the president’s pressure, at least five Republican members of the Senate Appropriations Committee have expressed concerns about eliminating the funding, which had already been approved by Congress.
Those senators include Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, former GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Deb Fischer of Nebraska.
Rounds defended funding for Native American radio stations in his state, arguing they would not survive without federal support. Fischer raised similar concerns, noting that parts of Nebraska lack reliable cell service and depend on public broadcasting to stay informed.
The public broadcasting cuts are part of a broader push by Trump and House conservatives to roll back funding for institutions they argue have a political bias. The rescission package was introduced by White House budget director Russell Vought in late June.
Trump signed an executive order in May to end taxpayer funding for NPR and PBS.
“National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive taxpayer funds through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Unlike in 1967, when the CPB was established, today the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options. Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence,” the order read.
