Live updates: Trump approves canceling funds for public media, foreign aid
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a bill to rescind close to $9 billion in federal funding previously approved for public broadcasting and foreign aid, after Trump’s request to claw back the funds was approved by Republicans in the House and the Senate this month.
The bulk of the spending cuts is for foreign assistance programs. About $1.1 billion was destined for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding to NPR and PBS, though most of that money is distributed to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations around the country.
Some Republicans were uncomfortable with the cuts but supported them rather than cross Trump or his agenda. Democrats unanimously rejected the cuts but were powerless to stop them.
The vote marked the first time in decades that a president has successfully submitted such a rescissions request to Congress, and the White House suggested it won’t be the last, calling this a test case for future measures.
Other news we’re following today:
- FCC approves Paramount’s merger with Skydance: The Federal Communications Commission’s approval of the $8 billion merger comes after months of turmoil involving a lawsuit between President Trump and Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, over a “60 Minutes” story. Paramount agreed this month to pay a $16 million settlement with Trump to resolve it. Critics of the settlement compared it to a bribe meant to appease the Trump Administration ahead of the proposed merger, and CBS further stoked outrage after the company said it was canceling Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” just days after the comedian sharply criticized the settlement on air.
- Trump continues feud with Powell: Trump visited the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington on Thursday, a week after indicating that Fed chair Jerome Powell’s handling of an extensive renovation project on two agency buildings could be grounds for firing. “It’s a very luxurious situation taking place,” Trump told reporters. “Let’s put it that way.” Trump has criticized and threatened to fire Powell for months for keeping the short-term interest rate the Fed controls at 4.3% after cutting it three times last year.
- U.S. cuts short Gaza ceasefire talks: Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said the U.S. is bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar for consultations after the latest response from Hamas “shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.” Trump previously urged progress in ceasefire talks, and lower-level negotiations have dragged on for weeks, while aid groups say Palestinians in Gaza risk starvation. Israel resumed the war in March after an eight-week ceasefire earlier this year.