For far too long, the United States has funneled taxpayer dollars into media operations around the world that fail to serve the core national interests of the American people. Under President Trump’s guiding principles—does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?—it is time to take a hard look at these funding decisions and put an end to media subsidies that do not align with these objectives.
The U.S. government has long supported global media initiatives through organizations like the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees outlets such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and others.
These outlets were originally designed as tools of American soft power, promoting democratic values and countering authoritarian propaganda. However, in recent years, they have increasingly drifted from their mission, often aligning with narratives that undermine U.S. foreign policy and domestic interests. This misuse of American resources must end.
One glaring issue is the way U.S.-funded media outlets have supported narratives that do not align with American strategic interests. Instead of reinforcing U.S. leadership, these entities have often provided platforms for voices that are openly critical of American policies and values.
There have been numerous instances where these outlets have amplified anti-American perspectives, weakened U.S. credibility abroad and failed to defend fundamental American principles. If a media operation funded by American taxpayers is not explicitly working to advance America’s strength, security and prosperity, then why are we continuing to bankroll it?
Moreover, the funding of global media operations has increasingly turned into a blank check for liberal ideological advocacy. These taxpayer-funded outlets frequently push narratives that align more with globalist and progressive agendas rather than with policies that serve American national interests.
They prioritize identity politics, climate extremism and social justice activism over hard security issues, economic stability and the projection of American power. This has led to a situation where American citizens are unwittingly financing content that directly contradicts their values and political beliefs.
Consider the example of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which once served as a critical voice against Soviet communism but has now become a hub for European-style liberal activism.
Instead of countering rising authoritarianism and anti-American sentiment, these outlets often criticize U.S. allies who align with Trump’s vision of strong national sovereignty while giving undue credibility to leftist movements abroad. This type of media does not make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous—it does the opposite.
Even domestically, the U.S. government supports various media initiatives that fail to uphold Trump’s America-first philosophy.
National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive substantial government funding yet consistently push content that is hostile to conservative values and Trump-era policies.
In March 2024, a bipartisan group of senators advocated for $575 million in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds PBS and NPR. Why should American taxpayers fund media institutions that actively oppose the interests of half the country and undermine a duly elected administration?
Meanwhile, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has requested a staggering $950 million for its FY 2025 budget—a 7.4% increase from FY 2023. Within USAGM, Voice of America (VOA) alone operates with an annual budget of approximately $267.5 million as of FY 2023. These figures highlight the vast amounts of taxpayer money being poured into global media organizations, many of which no longer serve American strategic interests.
Redirecting these funds to initiatives that actually enhance American strength is not just a fiscal imperative but a strategic necessity. Every dollar wasted on media that does not advance U.S. interests is a dollar that could be spent on bolstering our military, securing our borders, or revitalizing American industry.
In an era of great power competition, with adversaries like China and Russia expanding their influence through state-controlled media and digital propaganda, America cannot afford to fund media projects that weaken its own position on the global stage.
Furthermore, Trump has long understood that the media is a powerful weapon in shaping public perception and reinforcing national unity. If the United States is to remain the leader of the free world, it must ensure that its media funding supports institutions that unambiguously work toward American prosperity and global dominance.
That means cutting off funds to outlets that pander to foreign interests, globalist ideologies, or left-wing activism. Instead, U.S. media funding should be channeled toward platforms that advance American values, highlight U.S. achievements and promote policies that align with the Trump doctrine of strength, security and economic success. Common sense approach, right?
Congress must take immediate action to reassess and defund global media programs that fail to meet the America first criteria. Policymakers should introduce legislation that strictly ties media funding to the principles of security, strength and prosperity. Any media organization that does not actively contribute to these goals should no longer receive American tax dollars.
It is time for the United States to stop subsidizing media operations that do not serve its national interests. If a media entity does not make America safer, does not make America stronger and does not make America more prosperous, then it should not be receiving a single penny from the American people.
The Trump administration set the framework for a media policy that prioritizes American greatness—now it’s time to follow through and make it permanent.
Bryan E. Leib is the Republican candidate for Florida’s 25th Congressional District and the CEO of Henry Public Relations. He can be found on X @BryanLeibFL.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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