The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced it will cease operations after Congress voted to pull its funding, following a spirited campaign by former President Donald Trump, who labeled Big Bird a “leftist propagandist in yellowface.”
“PBS has been brainwashing children with facts and feelings for too long,” Trump told supporters. “It’s time Elmo learns about the free market.”
The $465 million annual budget—roughly what the Pentagon spends on coffee—was deemed “unnecessary” by lawmakers who cited fiscal responsibility before approving $12 billion for the new “Freedom Drones” program.
CPB’s shutdown spells the end of decades-old programs like Frontline, NOVA, and any remaining shred of national attention span. Ken Burns was reportedly last seen quietly sobbing into a Civil War documentary reel.
Meanwhile, Americans are encouraged to seek “unbiased educational content” elsewhere—such as YouTube conspiracy channels and Instagram infographics.
