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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Curfew in Indian City as Ancient Emperor’s Tomb Sparks Riots
A curfew has been imposed in parts of Nagpur city in Maharashtra state after violence erupted following Hindu groups' demands to remove the tomb of Aurangzeb, a 17th-Century Mughal emperor. Monday night's unrest in the Mahal area saw vehicles set ablaze and stone-throwing incidents. Police report the situation is now under control and are urging calm. Aurangzeb's tomb, located approximately 500km from Nagpur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district (formerly Aurangabad), has become a contentious political issue in recent years. The violence followed demonstrations by two Hindu organizations, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, who burned an effigy of the emperor while demanding the tomb's removal, according to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis told the state assembly that rumors of religious desecration spread, leading to what appeared to be "a well-planned attack." He reported that following evening prayers, about 250 Muslim […]
Heroic Tanker Crew Praised After Deadly North Sea Ship Collision Disaster
The co-owners of the oil tanker Stena Immaculate have released the first image showing 19 crew members while commending their "exceptional bravery" following a collision with cargo ship Solong in the North Sea. The vessels collided off East Yorkshire on March 10, causing an explosion and fires which have now been extinguished. A Filipino crew member from the Portuguese-flagged Solong, identified as 38-year-old Mark Angelo Pernia, is missing and presumed dead. The Russian captain of the Solong, 59-year-old Vladimir Motin from St Petersburg, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and remains in custody until his April 14 court appearance. Florida-based Crowley, which manages the tanker, praised the 23 Stena Immaculate crew members for their "decisive efforts and teamwork" during emergency procedures that "helped save lives, protect the vessel and minimize environmental impact." The company noted their actions limited damage […]
NATO Nations Abandon Global Landmine Ban as Russia Threat Intensifies
Poland and the Baltic states have announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, citing growing security concerns regarding Russia. Defense ministers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland issued a joint statement explaining that threats from Moscow and Belarus have "significantly increased" since they signed the treaty. They emphasized the importance of providing their military forces with "flexibility and freedom of choice" in defending NATO's eastern boundary. The Ottawa Treaty, also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, took effect in 1997 with the goal of eliminating anti-personnel mines globally. While over 160 countries have joined the agreement, major military powers including Russia, China, the US, India and Pakistan never signed. The Baltic nations had all joined the convention by 2005, with Poland following in 2012. Tuesday's joint statement highlighted that the regional security situation has "significantly […]
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
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
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. […]
Be the first to leave a comment