Trump Freezes Voice of America Funding Overnight Leaving 1300 Staff in Limbo

Article arrow_drop_down
Trump Freezes Voice of America Funding Overnight Leaving 1300 Staff in Limbo

Donald Trump has issued an executive order drastically reducing operations at Voice of America, the global, independent and federally funded news organization.

The president’s order targets VOA’s parent organization, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also funds non-profit entities like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, originally established to counter communism. The order directs agency heads to “reduce performance… to the minimum presence and function required by law.”

Mike Abramowitz, VOA’s director, reported that he and nearly his entire staff of 1,300 employees have been placed on paid leave. Abramowitz emphasized that the order prevents VOA from fulfilling its “vital mission… especially critical today, when America’s adversaries, like Iran, China, and Russia, are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States.”

The Trump administration has not provided an explanation, and it remains unclear whether the stations will be completely shut down.

According to CBS, the BBC’s US news partner, VOA employees were notified via email by Crystal Thomas, USAGM’s human resources director. A source told CBS that all freelance workers and international contractors were informed there was no longer funding to pay them.

Emails obtained by CBS showed that Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty leaders were notified that their federal grants had been terminated.

VOA and other USAGM stations reach more than 400 million listeners worldwide and are broadly comparable to the BBC World Service, which receives partial funding from the British government.

Elon Musk, Trump’s unofficial adviser who has been leading efforts to reduce government departments, has used his social media platform X to advocate for VOA’s closure.

The president has also cut funding to several other federal agencies, including those responsible for addressing homelessness and supporting museums and libraries.

Trump was highly critical of VOA during his first term and recently appointed loyal supporter Kari Lake as a special adviser for the US Agency for Global Media.

The president frequently claims mainstream media outlets are biased against him, calling CNN and MSNBC “corrupt” and “illegal” without providing evidence during a recent justice department speech.

Voice of America began broadcasting in 1942 with a mandate to combat Nazi and Japanese propaganda. Its first broadcast—transmitted on equipment borrowed from the BBC—stated modest intentions.

Former President Gerald Ford signed VOA’s public charter in 1976 to protect its editorial independence. By 1994, the Broadcast Board of Governors was established to oversee non-military broadcasting. In 2013, legislative changes allowed VOA and affiliates to begin broadcasting within the United States.

About the author

Trump Cuts to US Media Outlets Celebrated by Chinese State Press
trending_flat
Trump Cuts to US Media Outlets Celebrated by Chinese State Press

Chinese state media has welcomed Donald Trump's decision to cut funding for Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, news outlets known for reporting on authoritarian regimes. The executive order has affected thousands of employees, with approximately 1,300 staff at Voice Of America (VOA) placed on paid leave since Friday. While critics call it a setback for democracy, Beijing's state newspaper Global Times condemned VOA for its "appalling track record" in reporting on China, saying it has "now been discarded by its own government like a dirty rag." The White House defended the action, stating it will "ensure that taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda." Trump's cuts target the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which receives congressional funding and supports news outlets including VOA, Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Radio Free Europe. These organizations have […]

Hollywood Giant Behind Matrix and Joker Files Bankruptcy After Warner Bros Feud
trending_flat
Hollywood Giant Behind Matrix and Joker Files Bankruptcy After Warner Bros Feud

Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, the production company responsible for major franchises including The Matrix, Joker, and Ocean's, has filed for bankruptcy protection in a Delaware court. The company attributes its financial collapse to two primary factors: an ongoing legal dispute with former partner Warner Bros (WB) and unsuccessful investments in independent film and television production. As part of its restructuring strategy, Village Roadshow is proposing to sell its extensive film library for $365 million. Court documents reveal the company's debts range between $500 million and $1 billion. The relationship between Village Roadshow and Warner Bros deteriorated in early 2022 following the release of "The Matrix Resurrections" on HBO Max. Village Roadshow alleged that WB had excluded it from rights to sequels and prequels of their jointly produced films. Chief Restructuring Officer Keith Maib stated in court filings that "the WB […]

Indian PM Modi Joins Trumps Truth Social Platform In Surprise Move
trending_flat
Indian PM Modi Joins Trumps Truth Social Platform In Surprise Move

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become one of the few world leaders to join Truth Social, the social media platform owned by US President Donald Trump. Modi's first post on Monday featured a photo with Trump from his 2019 visit to Houston, Texas, with Modi expressing he was "delighted" to join the platform. Trump launched Truth Social in February 2022 following his loss in the presidential election to Joe Biden and temporary bans from major social networks like Twitter and Facebook, which accused him of inciting violence. As of 03:30 GMT, Modi had accumulated 21,500 followers and was following only Trump and US Vice President JD Vance. On Monday, Trump shared a link to Modi's interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, where the Indian prime minister discussed various topics including his life journey, the 2002 Gujarat riots, and India-China relations. […]

Messi Injury Blow Threatens Argentina World Cup Qualifying Run
trending_flat
Messi Injury Blow Threatens Argentina World Cup Qualifying Run

Lionel Messi will not participate in Argentina's upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches due to a groin injury sustained during Inter Miami's weekend victory over Atlanta, his club announced. In a statement released Monday, Inter Miami revealed that medical scans confirmed Messi had suffered a "low-grade injury in the adductor muscle" during Sunday's 2-1 win. The club provided no specific timeline for his recovery. "His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition," Inter Miami stated. The 37-year-old star had recently returned to action for Inter Miami, scoring as a substitute in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match after missing three previous games. Argentina must now face Uruguay this Friday and Brazil on March 25 without their captain. The world champions currently lead the South American qualifying group by five points ahead of their match against […]

Killer Tornadoes Sweep Through US Leaving Dozens Dead And Homes Destroyed
trending_flat
Killer Tornadoes Sweep Through US Leaving Dozens Dead And Homes Destroyed

At least 34 people have died across the United States after devastating tornadoes tore through several southeastern states, destroying homes and overturning vehicles. Missouri reported the highest death toll with 12 fatalities. In Kansas, a dust storm triggered a massive crash involving more than 55 vehicles, resulting in at least eight deaths. Overnight, over 250,000 properties across seven states lost power, including Michigan, Missouri, and Illinois, according to PowerOutage tracker. Weather authorities warn additional severe weather is expected, with tornado watches issued for eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee, and the western Florida Panhandle. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed six deaths as multiple tornadoes moved across his state. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flash flooding and flood warnings for central Mississippi, eastern Louisiana, western Tennessee, and parts of Alabama and Arkansas, cautioning these floods could prove deadly. Multiple […]

Trump Freezes Voice of America Funding Overnight Leaving 1300 Staff in Limbo
trending_flat
Trump Freezes Voice of America Funding Overnight Leaving 1300 Staff in Limbo

Donald Trump has issued an executive order drastically reducing operations at Voice of America, the global, independent and federally funded news organization. The president's order targets VOA's parent organization, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also funds non-profit entities like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, originally established to counter communism. The order directs agency heads to "reduce performance... to the minimum presence and function required by law." Mike Abramowitz, VOA's director, reported that he and nearly his entire staff of 1,300 employees have been placed on paid leave. Abramowitz emphasized that the order prevents VOA from fulfilling its "vital mission... especially critical today, when America's adversaries, like Iran, China, and Russia, are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States." The Trump administration has not provided an explanation, and it remains […]

Related

trending_flat
Mass Kidnapping Horror – 50 Bus Passengers Vanish in Rebel Territory!

Armed individuals have abducted dozens of bus passengers traveling from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia's Oromia region. The incident occurred in Ali Doro, near the location where approximately 100 university students were kidnapped last July. Local media reports indicate the passengers were en route to Debre Markos in the Amhara region when armed men attacked, engaging in gunfire with local security forces. One source suggests multiple buses were targeted, resulting in at least one death and potentially 50 abductions. The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a rebel group operating in the area, states it is investigating the reported abductions. The OLA, which seeks self-determination for Ethiopia's Oromo ethnic group, was previously accused of similar kidnappings but denied involvement. The organization has been designated as a terrorist group by the federal parliament. The government has not yet commented on the incident, official responses […]

trending_flat
Senate Backs Rivers State Emergency, Sets Six-Month Review Timeline

The Nigerian Senate has endorsed the state of emergency in Rivers State, exercising its constitutional authority to address the ongoing political crisis. In a closed-door meeting Thursday, senators applied Section 305(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the President to declare emergency rule when governance significantly breaks down. They directed President Bola Tinubu to conduct periodic reviews and consider ending the emergency within six months. The Senate also activated Section 11(4) of the Constitution, enabling the National Assembly to take over legislative responsibilities for Rivers State while elected officials remain suspended. Federal lawmakers will manage the state's legislative functions until stability returns. Additionally, senators announced a committee of prominent citizens to mediate between the conflicting political groups in Rivers, aiming to promote dialogue and permanently resolve the crisis. This decision follows the House of Representatives' earlier approval of the emergency […]

trending_flat
NASA Astronaut Returns Home After Extended Space Mission

NASA astronaut Barry 'Butch' Wilmore has returned to Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay on the International Space Station. His daughter, Daryn Wilmore, announced the news on TikTok, concluding her series "My Dad is Stuck in Space." What was initially planned as a one-week mission was extended to 286 days when Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams encountered technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The duo successfully splashed off Florida's coast at 5:57 p.m. ET on Tuesday. In her TikTok update, Daryn, wearing a Starliner t-shirt, shared plans for a low-key reunion, including making her father's favorite pecan pie and having a small gathering at her uncle's house. She has prepared a list of activities they previously enjoyed together, hoping to make up for lost time before she returns to school. Following his return, Wilmore will undergo medical tests […]

trending_flat
Trump Forces Amtrak CEO’s Sudden Exit as Musk Eyes Railway Privatization

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner resigned immediately after more than four years leading the national passenger railroad, following pressure from the White House administration. Sources indicate the decision came at President Trump's request. Gardner stated he was stepping down to "ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration." Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the need to address safety and security concerns at Washington's Union Station, particularly regarding homelessness and crime affecting commuter safety. Meanwhile, presidential advisor Elon Musk has suggested privatizing the railroad. Despite previous attempts to reduce federal funding, Congress recently approved $2.42 billion for Amtrak through September 2024. The railroad has shown strong performance, with ridership exceeding pre-pandemic levels and reaching 32.8 million customer trips in 2023, a 15% increase. Passenger revenue grew 9% to $2.5 billion, while operating losses decreased 9% to […]

trending_flat
Taliban Releases American Hostage After 2-Year Ordeal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that an American citizen has been freed after being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan for over two years. The release was facilitated through Qatari mediation. The freed individual, Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann, has departed Kabul and is en route to the United States. This release follows the earlier liberation of two other Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, who were freed in exchange for a Taliban member held in U.S. custody during the final period of the Biden administration.

trending_flat
Russian Bomber Base Hit by Ukrainian Drones, Massive Explosion Reported

Ukrainian forces struck a major Russian strategic bomber airfield Thursday with drones, causing a powerful explosion and fire approximately 700 km from the war's front lines, according to officials from both countries. Reuters-verified videos captured an enormous blast radiating from the airfield, damaging nearby cottages. Russia's defense ministry reported intercepting 132 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory. The Engels base, dating to Soviet times, houses Russia's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers, unofficially known as "White Swans." Saratov Governor Roman Busargin confirmed a Ukrainian drone attack on Engels that left an airfield burning and necessitated evacuating nearby residents, though he didn't specifically name the Engels base. Ukraine's defense ministry stated its forces had hit the airfield, triggering secondary ammunition detonations. Kyiv claimed Russia had used the base for strikes against Ukraine. Local officials reported ten people injured. Some residents discovered Ukrainian drone […]

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation