📺 Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Shut Down After Trump Pulls Federal Funding
**ARLINGTON, VA — August 1, 2025** —
The **Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)** announced Friday that it will begin a formal wind-down of operations after President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans rescinded its federal funding earlier this year — effectively ending financial support for **PBS**, **NPR**, and hundreds of local public media stations across the country.
> 📷 *A PBS sign is displayed on its Arlington, Virginia headquarters. (Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)*
The decision follows the signing of a funding clawback bill by President Trump, which retracted **\$1.1 billion** in grants previously allocated to the CPB over the next two fiscal years. The **Senate Appropriations Committee** also approved a long-term measure Thursday that eliminates future federal funding — marking the **first time in over 50 years** CPB has faced a full budget wipeout.
> “Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult reality of closing our operations,” said CPB President **Patricia Harrison** in a statement.
The CPB was created by Congress in **1967** as an independent nonprofit to support non-commercial public media. It distributes funding to more than **1,500 PBS and NPR member stations**, especially in underserved and rural communities.
According to a CPB internal report, **nearly half of rural stations** depend on federal funding for **at least 25%** of their annual budget. Many are now at imminent risk of closure.
The political implications are notable: Trump has long criticized NPR and PBS for what he deems unfair or partisan coverage. The defunding effort is widely seen as a **targeted move** against public media outlets perceived as critical of his administration and allies.
### What’s Next for CPB and Public Media?
* Most CPB employees will be laid off at the end of the fiscal year in **September**.
* A small staff will remain until **January 2026** to oversee the final closure and legal wrap-up.
* Several local stations are exploring **crowdfunding, partnerships, and state support** to fill the void.
The announcement has sparked alarm across journalistic and educational circles, with critics warning that the move threatens **free, non-commercial access to news, culture, and education**, particularly in regions where alternatives are limited or unaffordable.
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