Key Trump ally introduces bill to defund PBS and public radio

New legislation to strip federal funding from PBS was just introduced by a key Trump ally in Congress.

Harris, A top Trump ally in Congress just introduced legislation to strip all federal funding from PBS and public radio, following a slanderous congressional hearing attacking public broadcasting as "anti-American."1,2 Trump himself piled on by attacking PBS as "horrible and completely biased" and demanded that Republicans "rid our Country of this giant SCAM."3 It's all part of a coordinated attack on PBS and public radio. Demand Progress has mobilized tens of thousands of people to contact Congress and defend PBS, and with the threats only escalating, we need to do even more to fight back. Will you make a donation to support our work, including our efforts to save PBS and public radio? If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately. Donate $20 Donate $40 Donate $75 Or, donate another amount While introducing his bill to defund public broadcasting, Rep. Ronny Jackson called PBS — the home of beloved programs like Sesame Street, PBS NewsHour, and Masterpiece — a "taxpayer-funded propaganda machine for the radical left" and a "messaging arm for woke, radical Democrats."4 Marjorie Taylor Greene bashed public broadcasting with a flood of vicious anti-LGBTQ hate, describing PBS as "one of the founders of the trans child abuse industry."5 Meanwhile, Trump's Federal Communications Commission chair has launched a phony investigation falsely accusing PBS of running illegal commercial advertisements.6 Why is MAGA so hell-bent on killing PBS and public radio? Because in many parts of the country, the local public radio or TV station is the only reliable source of news and information, and Trump's goal is to silence any news outlet that dares to challenge him or report the truth. But we CAN save PBS, because the large majority of Americans — including two-thirds of Trump voters — oppose the defunding of PBS.7 That's why we're asking you today: Will you donate $20 to help save PBS, and push for other key reforms? With gratitude, The team at Demand Progress Action DONATE Sources: 1. Office of Rep. Ronny Jackson, "Rep. Jackson Reintroduces a Bill to Defund NPR and PBS," March 28, 2025. 2. The New York Times, "PBS and NPR Prepare for Showdown With Congress," March 25, 2025. 3. The Hill, "Trump urges Republicans to defund NPR, PBS," March 27, 2025. 4. Fox News, "EXCLUSIVE: GOP moves to defund 'chronically biased' NPR, PBS after disastrous hearing,'" March 27, 2025. 5. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, "DOGE Subcommittee Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene Opens Hearing with NPR and PBS Executives," March 26, 2025. 6. The New York Times, "F.C.C. Chair Orders Investigation Into NPR and PBS Sponsorships," January 30, 2025. 7. Axios, "Exclusive: PBS poll finds broad Trump voter support amid GOP defunding push," February 4, 2025. Contributions to ActBlue Civics and Demand Progress Action are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Join our online community on Instagram or Twitter. Receiving too many emails from Demand Progress? You can opt to pause emails from Demand Progress for a month. And of course you can unsubscribe from this list at any time.