Elmo Was Murdered Today
Axing PBS and NPR Is a Strategic Attack on the American Public
TL;DR: Today’s executive order to defund NPR and PBS isn’t about “bias"—it’s about eliminating two of the last widely trusted sources of nonpartisan information.
Which do you think is less biased: a news source funded by corporate advertising and owned by billionaires, or one funded by the American people and owned by the American people?
This is how authoritarian movements work: through loud lies and quiet suppression of the truth.
Trust by the Numbers
PBS and NPR aren’t fringe outlets or partisan firebrands. They are among the most trusted news sources in the United States, ranking consistently above CNN, Fox News, and even the New York Times. According to the Pew Research Center, NPR is trusted by a majority of both Democrats and independents, and even a notable segment of Republicans. PBS, meanwhile, is the most trusted institution in America for news and children's programming alike.
In a media landscape dominated by sensationalism, algorithms, and paywalls, these public broadcasters are free, accessible, and centered. They aren’t perfect, but they strive for something increasingly rare: fact-based reporting, editorial independence, and civic responsibility.
This is why they have to go.
The Real Reason for the Defunding
Trump’s executive order doesn’t mask its intent well. While it uses language about “fiscal discipline” and “bias,” the Corporation for Public Broadcasting accounts for a microscopic 0.01% of federal spending. This isn’t about saving money. It’s about silencing what can’t be controlled.
Public broadcasting has long resisted pressure to frame stories through a partisan lens. That independence makes it dangerous to a movement that depends on controlling narrative. Trump and his allies have made it clear they will punish dissent and reward loyalty. NPR and PBS—like honest judges, career civil servants, and investigative journalists—stand in the way of complete control.
This is part of a larger pattern: shrink trust in neutral institutions, amplify voices that reinforce your worldview, and accuse the rest of being enemies of the people.
The Authoritarian Playbook
History is littered with examples. Hungary's Viktor Orbán defunded and dismantled independent media. Putin co-opted Russia's state broadcaster, crushed public radio, and jailed journalists. Bolsonaro attacked Brazil's public broadcasters and slashed their budgets.
The U.S. is not immune. And we are further down the road than many want to admit.
While Trump can manipulate and control some legacy media through lawsuits and deals with his billionaire buddies, NPR and PBS cannot be bought or intimidated. With the quiet truth-tellers out of the way, he’ll be free to flood the zone with noise and allow his propaganda to flourish.
What We Stand to Lose
This isn’t just about news coverage. PBS and NPR stations deliver:
Educational programming for children, especially low-income families without cable or internet.
Local journalism in rural areas where newspapers have died.
Science, culture, and history programming with no commercial agenda.
Emergency broadcasting infrastructure used during disasters.
In many communities, public media is the last reliable information source standing. Once it's gone, the vacuum won’t remain empty. It will be filled by whatever interests have the loudest megaphone—and the deepest pockets.
What Comes Next
This is not a one-off. It's part of a broader campaign to erode truth, trust, and transparency. Already we see relentless attacks on media and journalists, harsh consequences for protesters, and destruction of public institutions that make our country great.
The goal is simple: if people can no longer trust what they hear, they will retreat into tribalism. And in tribal politics, autocrats thrive.
We have a choice. We can normalize this, pretend it’s a budget issue, or even nod along with the "bias" excuse. Or we can call it what it is: a strategic attempt to blindfold the public.
What You Can Do:
Call your representatives and demand they protect these important organizations.
Share trusted content and remind others what we lose when public media dies (including Elmo).
Because once truth-tellers have been silenced, the void will be filled by whatever the strongman wants you to hear.