Sign in Subscribe
Legislators

Trump Seeks to Eliminate Funding for Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As part of his second attempt to scrap federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, President Donald Trump is targeting the private, nonprofit corporation that allocates funds to National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service, and over 1,500 local radio and television stations throughout the country. Trump's renewed focus on public media has led organizations that benefit from the CPB to speak out about their funding and journalism. The proposed cut is expected to face opposition from Senate Democrats, who argue that it would harm local reporting and public access to information.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Corporation for Public Broadcasting allocates funding to National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service, and over 1,500 local radio and television stations throughout the country.
  • Katherine Maher, president and CEO of NPR, rejected the idea that ending funding for the CPB would have a significant impact on the federal ledger, stating that the appropriation represents less than 0.0001% of the federal budget.
  • Paula Kerger, CEO and president at PBS, defended the CBP, stating that public-private partnerships allow them to provide high-quality programming and prepare millions of children for success in school and in life.
  • Senate Democrats, including Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, are likely to oppose Trump's proposal to eliminate funding for the CPB.
  • The Corporation for Public Broadcasting received steady funding from Congress starting at its founding, and its appropriation was increased during the Biden administration, reaching $535 million in March 2024.
  • The House Republicans have attempted to phase out funding for CPB during the second half of President Joe Biden's term, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
  • Congress is expected to begin work on its dozen annual appropriations bills sometime this summer, which will determine the fate of CPB funding.

Statistics:

  • 1%: The percentage of NPR's direct funding that comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
  • 15%: The percentage of PBS's funding that comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
  • 1,500: The number of local radio and television stations that receive funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
  • 0.0001%: The percentage of the federal budget that the appropriation for public broadcasting represents.
  • $535 million: The appropriation for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in March 2024.
  • 70%: The percentage of CPB funding that is provided directly to local public TV and radio stations.

Sources:

  • "NPR Statement on White House Executive Order" (npr.org, May 2, 2025)
  • "PBS NewsHour" (pbs.org, May 5, 2025)
  • "Statement by Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting" (cpb.org, May 7, 2025)
  • "Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2018" (govinfo.gov, March 2018)
  • "Corporation for Public Broadcasting Financials" (cpb.org, accessed May 10, 2025)
  • "House Appropriations Committee FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies" (appropriations.house.gov, March 2024)
  • "Senate Appropriations Committee FY24 LHHS Bill Summary" (appropriations.senate.gov, March 2024)
  • "News Miner: My Support for Public Broadcasting" (newsminer.com, May 5, 2025)

Read more