President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to cut funding for the Voice of America (VOA), accusing the organization of being “anti-Trump” and “radical.” The White House argued the move would prevent taxpayers from funding “leftist propaganda,” citing right-wing media criticisms of VOA’s alleged bias.
VOA, established during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, serves millions worldwide. Trump’s order targets its parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also funds Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. The directive forces USAGM to reduce operations to the minimum required by law.
Mike Abramowitz, VOA’s director, expressed concern that the cuts would hinder its mission, especially as countries like China and Russia spread disinformation globally. The decision also impacted VOA’s staff, with employees placed on paid leave and freelancers told there were no funds to pay them.
Trump has been critical of VOA for years, claiming media outlets like CNN and MSNBC are biased against him. The White House’s announcement linked to right-wing articles accusing VOA of suppressing negative reports on Iran and Hamas and favoring Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
VOA was founded in 1942 to combat propaganda and was granted editorial independence in 1976.
