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Republican lawmakers are intensifying efforts to cut federal funding for PBS following a recent Pride Month post by Sesame Street.
The post, featuring multicolored puppets forming a rainbow and a message promoting inclusivity, sparked backlash from several GOP members who accused the network of promoting inappropriate content to children. Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) labeled the post as “evil” and called for defunding PBS, while Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) criticized the network for featuring LGBTQ+ content in children’s programming. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) echoed these sentiments, asserting that PBS is “grooming children on American taxpayers’ dime” and should face financial consequences.
The controversy aligns with broader Republican initiatives to reevaluate federal support for public broadcasting. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), chairing the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced an upcoming House vote aimed at defunding PBS and NPR. This legislative move follows a May executive order by former President Donald Trump titled “ENDING TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZATION OF BIASED MEDIA,” which directed the cessation of federal funds to both organizations, citing concerns over perceived political bias.
In response to the executive order, both PBS and NPR have initiated legal actions against the Trump administration, arguing that the funding cuts constitute viewpoint discrimination and infringe upon First Amendment rights. PBS emphasized that such financial reductions threaten its ability to provide educational content.
PBS is shamelessly grooming our children while collecting taxpayer dollars.
This is evil and should infuriate every parent in America. DEFUND!! https://t.co/wcfpw6g5JH
— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) June 2, 2025
The debate over public broadcasting funding occurs amid a noticeable shift in corporate approaches to Pride Month celebrations. A survey by Gravity Research indicated that approximately 39% of companies plan to scale back Pride-related activities, including sponsorships and themed merchandise. Factors influencing this trend include concerns over consumer reactions and potential scrutiny from the Trump administration regarding diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The outcome of the proposed legislative actions and ongoing lawsuits will likely have lasting implications for the relationship between government support and media content in the United States.
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