PBS CEO Calls Trump’s Order to Cut Funding "Blatantly Unlawful"
By DAVID BAUDER, AP Media Writer
PBS CEO Paula Kerger criticized President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aimed at cutting public funding for PBS and NPR, labeling it "blatantly unlawful." The order, signed late Thursday, claims bias in reporting from these outlets and directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to halt federal funding while eliminating indirect financial support.
Kerger emphasized the potential harm to educational programming that PBS has provided for over 50 years, stating, "We are currently exploring all options to allow PBS to continue to serve our member stations and all Americans." Trump’s order is part of a broader strategy by his administration to limit funding to institutions perceived as opposing his viewpoints.
The CPB argues that it is not under Trump’s control, after he announced the termination of three board members, prompting a lawsuit. Local stations, especially in smaller markets, heavily rely on public funding, heightening concerns about the impact of these proposed cuts.
This threat to public broadcasting is seen as the most serious yet, raising alarms about the administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine institutions like the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Originally Published: May 2, 2025, at 8:48 AM PDT
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