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The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,761 posts)
Sun Jan 26, 2020, 10:30 PM Jan 2020

Trump threatens to cut NPR's funding after Pompeo meltdown.

Two days ago, NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly revealed that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had berated her with expletives after she asked him about the Ukraine scandal. Today, President Donald Trump chimed in—by appearing to threaten to cut off NPR’s federal funding.

Trump retweeted a comment from right-wing radio host Mark Levin, who had highlighted a Fox News story about the Pompeo controversy and asked: “Why does NPR still exist? We have thousands of radio stations in the U.S. Plus Satellite radio. Podcasts. Why are we paying for this big-government, Democrat Party propaganda operation.” Trump added that Levin’s tweet raised a “very good question!”

Conservatives complaining about NPR’s government funding is nothing new. In his budget proposals, Trump has repeatedly signaled a desire to eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes government funds to public TV and radio stations. So far, that hasn’t happened.

It’s also important to note that only a small portion of NPR’s funding actually comes from tax dollars. According to its latest financial report, just 1 percent of its annual operating budget consists of “grants from Corporation for Public Broadcasting and federal agencies and departments.” Most of its funding comes from corporate sponsorships and dues paid by member stations across the country. Those member stations in turn receive about 12 percent of their funding from the CPB and other federal, state, and local government sources. Some stations also receive money from colleges and universities.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/01/trump-threatens-to-cut-nprs-funding-after-pompeo-meltdown/

Didn't I predict this? https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1017&pid=565708
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Trump threatens to cut NPR's funding after Pompeo meltdown. (Original Post) The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2020 OP
Good luck Fat Donnie Oldest_Millenial Jan 2020 #1
His supporters don't care, he could close libraries too for all they care. dem4decades Jan 2020 #2
Nothing new for the republicans, they have been going after NPR for decades. GemDigger Jan 2020 #3
Mark Levin. TheCowsCameHome Jan 2020 #4
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