- The Trump administration canceled government news subscriptions to six major outlets, deeming them "non-mission critical," including The New York Times and Reuters.
- The decision, part of a fiscal responsibility push, follows the termination of Politico subscriptions costing taxpayers $8.2 million annually.
- The administration targeted outlets accused of liberal bias, with State Department employees required to justify remaining subscriptions based on national interest.
- This is part of a broader DOGE-led campaign to eliminate government waste, praised by fiscal conservatives as long overdue.
The Trump administration has canceled all government news subscriptions deemed “non-mission critical,” targeting six major outlets: The Economist, The New York Times, Politico, Bloomberg News, The Associated Press, and Reuters. The decision, announced through internal State Department memos obtained by The Washington Post, applies globally to hundreds of U.S. embassies and consulates.
This crackdown follows the recent termination of Politico subscriptions, which cost taxpayers a staggering $8.2 million over the past year. The administration, led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is prioritizing fiscal responsibility while taking aim at media outlets accused of liberal bias.
The move comes as part of a broader effort to eliminate unnecessary government expenditures. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the cancellation of Politico subscriptions, stating, “The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now.” She emphasized that the administration is committed to scrutinizing every line of the federal budget, calling the previous spending on media subscriptions “a huge waste of taxpayer money.”
Elon Musk, a senior advisor to the president, echoed this sentiment on X, formerly Twitter, calling the $8.2 million spent on Politico subscriptions “obviously a huge waste.” The administration’s decision has sparked debate, with critics arguing that cutting access to news outlets could hinder embassy security teams, who rely on local and international coverage to assess threats in conflict zones. However, supporters applaud the move as a necessary step to rein in excessive spending and hold media organizations accountable.
Media bias and fiscal responsibility
The six targeted outlets have long been criticized by conservatives for their liberal bias. The New York Times and The Associated Press, in particular, have clashed with the Trump administration over editorial decisions, including the AP’s refusal to adopt the term “Gulf of America” instead of the traditional “Gulf of Mexico.” This tension escalated in February when AP reporters were banned from White House events and Air Force One.
State Department employees were instructed to justify any remaining subscriptions in a single sentence, answering questions such as: “Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?” The guidance reflects the administration’s focus on ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent only on services that directly benefit national interests.
A broader crackdown on waste
The cancellation of media subscriptions is part of a larger campaign by DOGE to eliminate wasteful spending across the federal government. Earlier this year, the administration also targeted Politico after a payroll delay sparked scrutiny of its government contracts. While Politico CEO Goli Sheikholeslami denied that the company relies on government subsidies, public records revealed that the federal government paid $8.2 million for premium subscriptions, including Politico Pro, which costs thousands per year.
The administration’s efforts have drawn praise from fiscal conservatives, who argue that cutting unnecessary expenses is long overdue. “This is a whole-of-government effort to ensure that we are going line by line when it comes to the federal government’s books,” Leavitt said.
The Trump administration’s decision to cancel non-essential media subscriptions marks a significant step in its ongoing campaign to reduce government waste and prioritize taxpayer dollars. This move is a necessary correction to years of unchecked spending. By targeting outlets accused of liberal bias and holding media organizations accountable, the administration is doubling down on its message that national interests come first.
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