On Thursday, former President Donald Trump raised concerns over the apparent connection between federal government agencies and media outlets, suggesting that the government was using taxpayer dollars to fund news organizations in exchange for favorable coverage of Democrats. His comments echoed claims recently shared by tech billionaire Elon Musk and others on social media, who highlighted reports of government agencies paying substantial sums for media subscriptions.
The controversy revolves around certain federal agencies allowing employees to expense subscriptions to news outlets, including publications like Politico Pro and Punchbowl, which are known for providing specialized, in-depth coverage of Washington’s political landscape. These subscriptions are intended to keep government employees informed about policy developments, but the sheer amount of taxpayer money involved has raised questions.
According to reports, some agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have spent millions of dollars on these subscriptions. Trump took to his Truth Social platform early Thursday morning, claiming that this spending amounted to a “payoff” to media organizations in exchange for promoting positive stories about the Democrats. He specifically called out Politico, referring to it as a “left-wing rag” and accusing the outlet of receiving over $8 million from the federal government.
Trump’s accusations gained further attention as Musk and other prominent figures pointed to the significant payments made to publications like Politico Pro, further fueling speculation about the relationship between the government and the media. Trump described the situation as “perhaps the biggest scandal in history” and insisted that the funds were fraudulently channeled into the media to benefit the Democrats.
Politico responded to the claims, with CEO Goli Sheikholeslami and Editor-in-Chief John Harris releasing a memo stating that Politico had never received direct government subsidies. They emphasized that Politico’s success is based on the value of its journalism, citing high renewal rates among its subscribers.
Despite Politico’s defense, Trump reiterated his concerns during the National Prayer Breakfast, calling the situation a “terrible thing” and suggesting that the government’s financial support of media outlets was not above board. He commended Musk for his efforts to expose the issue, noting that the scale of the payments was “astounding.”
This ongoing debate highlights the increasing scrutiny of the relationship between the government and the media, as many conservative voices believe that such financial entanglements could influence the objectivity of news reporting, particularly when it comes to the political left.