CPB Dissolves as Trump Continues Crusade Against Media

America's Corporation for Public Broadcasting dissolved on Monday, after 58 years as the primary funder of PBS, NPR and many local TV and radio stations. The CPB board of directors made the decision after all their federal funding was rescinded. The Trump administration said the $1.1 billion CPB was scheduled to receive, was cut because they produce "woke propaganda." 

In the summer of 2025, both chambers of the Republican-controlled congress voted to fulfill Trump’s wishes and repeal funding for CPB. That recission bill had immediate implications – CPB and their over 1,500 affiliates have been laying off staff and shuttering news organizations since. The closures of local TV and radio stations will enlarge America’s news deserts. Rural communities who rely on local news networks for safety alerts, will be hit the hardest.

This type of anti-media behaviour has become increasingly familiar in Trump’s second term as president. His assaults on independent media have usually come in the form of lawsuits. In the past 5 years alone, Trump has filed lawsuits against The Washington Post, The New York Times, Meta, YouTube, Twitter, CNN, Wall Street Journal and the BBC among others. Roughly half the lawsuits were settled, while the other half were dismissed. But the playbook is clear – if you give Trump unfavourable coverage, he will sue you, or worse.

Dating back to his original inauguration in 2017, Trump has famously dubbed media the “enemy of the people.” That message came with a purpose of controlling narrative to consolidate power. With every attack he makes on our media colleagues, it becomes vital to match those attacks in the breadth and volume of our counter-message.  Save local news!