NEW YORK — Federal payments made by the government to media organizations such as Politico, The New York Times, and The Associated Press are now under scrutiny by Trump administration officials. On Thursday, the former president claimed these payments could turn out to be “THE BIGGEST SCANDAL OF THEM ALL.”
This confrontation with the media marks yet another episode in a long-standing feud that Trump has maintained with various news outlets. Just last week, the Defense Department removed NPR, NBC, The Times, and Politico from their offices at the Pentagon. Additionally, Trump has criticized CBS’ “60 Minutes” for how it handled a past interview with Kamala Harris, who was his political rival. Advocates for free press are increasingly wary of Trump’s intentions for the media entity Voice of America, which is safeguarded by its mission of editorial independence.
However, this instance appears to merge two of Trump’s frequent targets—government spending and the media—into a single narrative. The president has publicly vilified this practice without providing substantive evidence to back up his claims.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt disclosed that the government has reportedly spent over $8 million on subscriptions to Politico, revealing that Elon Musk’s team for government efficiency is planning to terminate such expenditures. This announcement ignited a frenzy on social media, with users searching for further instances of taxpayer money being allocated to news outlets.
Trump amplified these sentiments on his Truth Social platform, expressing concern about taxpayer funds being directed toward what he described as “FAKE NEWS MEDIA.” He inquired specifically whether The New York Times had benefited from such payments, stating, “THIS COULD BE THE BIGGEST SCANDAL OF THEM ALL.” Furthermore, during a national prayer breakfast held at the Capitol, Trump boasted about the administration’s investigation into media spending, claiming, “We’re catching them left and right. They don’t know what the heck is going on.”
It is important to note that government subscriptions to media outlets are not a new practice. Politico clarified in a communication from CEO Goli Sheikholeslami and Editor-in-Chief John Harris that it does not rely on government subsidies. They explained, “This is a transaction, similar to how the government purchases research, equipment, software, and industry reports. Some online voices are deliberately spreading falsehoods; let’s be clear: Politico has no financial dependence on the government.”
Governments at both federal and state levels often subscribe to prominent media sources to stay informed about significant issues. The U.S. State Department, for instance, may require international news for insight related to U.S. interests abroad, while specialists within agencies like the Department of Transportation may monitor trade publications for industry developments. Politico Pro provides services aimed at government and private sector clients for tracking relevant policies and legislation in real time. The company, however, opted not to disclose the number or price of its subscriptions.
The New York Times reported its earnings from government subscriptions reached less than $2 million last year, primarily through discounted offerings. One program allows access to over one million active and retired military personnel and their families, emphasizing that “These officials and other public servants simply seek to understand the world through our independent journalism, similar to millions of other Americans,” according to spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander.
Musk’s sentiments on these matters have also surfaced, as he has frequently criticized traditional media and owns a competing platform. He retweeted a message accusing the AP of receiving substantial government funding, labeling it a “huge waste of taxpayer money,” stating, “Not for long.”
The AP’s spokesperson, Lauren Easton, defended the practice, noting that “the U.S. government has long been an AP customer — through both Democratic and Republican administrations,” emphasizing the media outlet’s content licensing parallels that of numerous other global news organizations. The AP did not disclose specifics regarding its federal contracts.
On another note, Musk’s focus on USAID could jeopardize roughly $268 million allocated by Congress to assist about 6,200 independent journalists worldwide, including those in conflict-ridden regions such as Ukraine, according to Reporters Without Borders. Executive Director Clayton Weimers has warned that cutting off these funds may only serve to empower propagandists and authoritarian governments.
