Eight months into 2025, and the United States government has undergone changes at rapid-fire speed. From DOJ programs aimed at preventing gun violence to cancer research at the National Institute of Health, the Trump Administration has enacted reforms to reduce the scope of the federal government on a scale claimed to be greater than any other administration in American history.
One of the most recent of these cuts was included in the Rescissions Act, which eliminated the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 99% of Americans have access to public media provided by the CPB – so, what does this mean moving forward?
President Trump cut $1.1 billion from public broadcasting until the year 2027, requiring the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to entirely shut down its operations. According to their press release on Aug. 1, “The majority of [CPB] staff positions will conclude with the close of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025.” A reduced team will be kept on until Jan. 2026 before the shutdown is complete.
Because the CPB is shutting down, many people believe programs such as PBS will follow suit. However, this is a misconception. Although PBS received millions of dollars in federal funding through the CPB, its budget will only be cut by just over 20%, according to CBS news. For the more than 130 million Americans watching PBS each year, most regular programs will still be available with the help of corporate and independent donors.
Another concern is the future of National Public Radio, which also received a significant amount of its funding through the CPB. Similar to PBS, NPR is not initiating an entire shutdown; its size will be reduced instead. According to Texas Public Radio, NPR “will cut its budget by about $8 million.” Access to National Public Radio is crucial in ensuring that all Americans are informed of breaking news around the country.
Federal funding no longer encompassing CPB, PBS, and NPR achieves the long-term Republican goal of eliminating public media’s association with the government. Over 1000 radio stations and 350 television stations were provided by CPB, making its shutdown a complex and devastating process for many Americans.
