Summary
National Public Radio (NPR) received $113 million in donations after President Trump cut federal funding for NPR and PBS in 2025. Connie Ballmer donated $80 million to help NPR improve its digital services, and an anonymous donor gave $33 million to support the network’s future stability.
Key Facts
- President Trump reduced federal funding for NPR and PBS by over $1 billion starting in 2025.
- Connie Ballmer, wife of ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, gave NPR $80 million, the largest gift from a living donor.
- The $80 million donation aims to boost NPR’s digital technology and audience engagement.
- Another $33 million donation came from an anonymous donor.
- NPR CEO Katherine Maher said these gifts will help secure NPR’s financial future.
- A federal judge ruled that President Trump’s order to cut funding violated the First Amendment but did not restore the money.
- NPR and PBS faced serious financial pressure after Congress cut their funding.
- Connie Ballmer supports NPR because she believes strong journalism is important for democracy.
