"Don't Fund Liberals with Taxes" – Trump vs. Public Broadcasting, a 45-Day Battle

Public domain / Official White House Photo

1. What is a Rescission Request?

On the afternoon of June 3rd, the White House sent a spending freeze package totaling $9.4 billion to Congress. The centerpiece of this is the complete withdrawal of $1.1 billion for public broadcasting. This was funding secured until the end of the 2027 fiscal year, and this move is a drastic measure to nullify it all at once.wpln.org

A rescission is the president's authority for "post-facto budget withdrawal" recognized under the 1974 Budget Control Act. It becomes effective if Congress agrees by a simple majority within 45 days. This method, rarely used since Reagan, has re-emerged as a stage prop in the cultural wars.

2. Why is Public Broadcasting Targeted?

The Trump camp has consistently criticized PBS and NPR as "strongholds of the left" since 2017. Particularly, **Executive Order 14290 "Ending Subsidies to Biased Media"** on May 1, 2025, mandated the CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) to cut off funding to NPR and PBS, laying the groundwork for their "abolition."en.wikipedia.org

In the background

• is the controversy over media "bias"

• and the national debt reaching $36 trillion

• Recommendations from the government efficiency task force "DOGE" led by major supporter Elon Musk

are intertwined. Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "Public broadcasting subsidies are *fossilized privileges*," and conservative influencers applauded.ft.com

3. The Approaching "Broadcast Winter" for Local Stations

PBS CEO Paula Kerger warned, "In rural areas, public broadcasting is the only educational channel. A funding freeze will lead directly to layoffs and program cancellations."wpln.org

NPR CEO Catherine Meyer also criticized it as "viewpoint suppression and unconstitutional," and proceeded to file a lawsuit.pbs.org

In reality, CPB grants account for only about 13% of total income in urban areas, but up to **70%** for stations in populations under 100,000. With limited alternative routes such as donations or sponsorship income, the fear of "blackout" (going off-air) becomes all too real.

4. The "Reality of Division" Seen in Social Media

Trump himself also posted on X in all caps, "REPUBLICANS MUST DEFUND…" and it instantly surpassed 100,000 reposts.npr.org

Meanwhile, conservative commentator Senator Jim Risch echoed, "Legislate the DOGE Cut Immediately."twitter.com
In contrast, a Snap Poll by Rasmussen Reports showed "46% for maintaining funding, 30% for cuts," indicating the maintenance side is dominant.twitter.com

Long-term trends from Pew Research also show that trust in public broadcasting remains high, especially among college graduates and older age groups.

5. Congressional Dynamics—The Key Role of "Moderate Republicans"

• Senate: Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) have openly stated their opposition, saying "Local stations are lifelines."wpln.org

• House: Don Bacon from Nebraska is hesitant, stating "Local stations are doing a good job."rmpbs.org

For the Republican Party lacking an absolute majority, these few defections could be fatal.

6. Legal Battles and Constitutional Debate

The public broadcasting side

1. violation of the Public Broadcasting Act 1967

2. First Amendment (freedom of speech) infringement
   as the basis for the lawsuit. In the judicial arena, the contention is that "budgetary authority belongs to Congress, and the President's 'retaliatory' cuts are arbitrary."washingtonpost.com

7. Implications for Japan—Comparison with the NHK License Fee Debate

In Japan, the legitimacy of NHK license fees is also debated, but the U.S. presents a contrasting picture of **"zero license fee, minimal taxes."** Japan's public broadcasting follows a "compulsory collection model," limiting direct political intervention, whereas the U.S. relies on a "tax-dependent model," making it vulnerable to shifts with each change in administration. This movement reexamines "what political neutrality in public media means."

8. Future Scenarios

9. Conclusion

Public broadcasting has functioned not only in terms of budget but also as a social infrastructure for disaster alerts, educational programs, and cultural archives. On the other hand, criticisms persist regarding its "urban elite liberal bias" and "relevance in the internet age." The current recession request is not merely a fiscal debate but the forefront of an identity struggle over the information space. Regardless of the outcome in 45 days, it will serve as a litmus test for the future of the U.S. media environment and democracy.

📊Illustration for Deeper Understanding

The infographic below shows the flow of funds from Congress→Public Broadcasting Corporation→each broadcasting station, and the "abolition arrow" in this case. You can instantly grasp where the "hemorrhage" of funds is being stopped.

Reference Links

The quotes and data in the text are based on primary reports, official statements, and social media posts from NPR, Washington Post, Politico, Pew Research, Fox News, etc. The symbols at the end of each paragraph indicate online sources.