CPB Reverses Trump-Era Decision, Revives $36 Million NPR Contract

Breaking News: CPB Revives $36 Million Deal with NPR After Trump-Era Pressure The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has agreed to revive a $36 million, multi-year contract with NPR, reversing a decision made under pressure from the Trump White House. The arrangement resolves a lawsuit filed by NPR accusing the corporation of illegally yielding to Trump's demands that the network be financially punished for its news coverage. According to sources, the agreement was reached on Monday, November 17, after months of litigation. NPR announced it would waive a portion of the damages it had sought in the lawsuit, citing a desire to move forward and continue its work. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has agreed to fulfill the contract, which will provide funding for NPR's operation of a satellite distribution system for local public radio stations. The decision marks a significant shift in policy, as the Trump administration had sought to restrict funding for public media outlets that it deemed too liberal. The move is seen as a victory for NPR and its supporters, who had argued that the Trump administration's actions were an attempt to censor and punish the network for its reporting. The dispute began in 2020, when the Trump administration threatened to withhold funding from NPR and other public media outlets unless they agreed to changes in their reporting. The network refused, leading to a lawsuit that accused the corporation of illegally yielding to the administration's demands. The agreement comes as a relief to NPR and its supporters, who had been concerned about the impact of the Trump-era policy on the network's operations. The decision also marks a significant victory for advocates of public media, who have long argued that these outlets play a critical role in providing independent and unbiased reporting. As a result of the agreement, NPR will receive the $36 million in funding, which will be used to support its operations and provide services to local public radio stations. The corporation has also agreed to drop its appeal of the lawsuit, bringing an end to the months-long dispute.