Trump administration scrubs USAID media contracts in bid to end biased and wasteful spending
By isabelle // 2025-02-10
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  • President Trump orders GSA to cancel all USAID media contracts, including $8.2 million to Politico.
  • Administration cuts 97% of USAID staff to refocus on core humanitarian missions.
  • White House claims this move ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize biased media.
  • Politico denies receiving government funding but acknowledges subscription sales to federal agencies.
  • USAID overhaul aims to end politically motivated spending and promote fiscal responsibility.
In a move to address a horrifying misuse of taxpayer dollars, President Donald Trump has directed the General Services Administration (GSA) to terminate all USAID government contracts with media outlets, including a significant $8.2 million allocation to left-leaning news site Politico. The directive, which also includes cutting 97% of the USAID staff, comes after a firestorm sparked by revelations that federal agencies have been spending millions on subscriptions to publications that promote liberal narratives. The controversy erupted when internet sleuths discovered the extent of government spending on media subscriptions, particularly the $8 million allocated to Politico. The administration's decision to cut these contracts is part of a broader effort to ensure that taxpayer money is not being used to subsidize media content that many believe is biased against conservative values.

Cutting ties with left-leaning media

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue during a briefing, stating, "I was made aware of the funding of USAID to media outlets, including Politico... And I can confirm that the more than eight million taxpayer dollars that have gone to essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico on the American taxpayer's dime will no longer be happening. The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now." Leavitt emphasized that this is part of a "whole of government effort to ensure that we are going line by line when it comes to the federal government's books." Politico, in a memo to its staff, denied receiving any government funding, stating, "We have never received any government funding — no subsidies, no grants, no handouts. Not one dime, ever, in 18 years." However, the government spent millions on subscriptions to their premium content, Politico Pro, which can cost thousands of dollars per year each.

Overhauling USAID to focus on core missions

The administration's efforts to cut wasteful spending extend beyond media contracts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was placed in charge of USAID earlier this week, announced that the agency would be drastically downsized, with its staff reduced from 10,000 to just 294. The move comes after Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) revealed that USAID had been funding woke projects and activities that go against the best interests of Americans. According to the administration, over two-thirds of USAID's workers are located outside the United States, and the agency managed more than $40 billion in projects in 2023. The deep cuts are intended to refocus the agency on its core mission of providing humanitarian aid, rather than promoting political agendas. The Trump administration's decision to cancel government media contracts and overhaul USAID represents a significant shift in how the federal government allocates resources. By cutting ties with media outlets that are biased and refocusing USAID on its core mission, the administration aims to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and in the best interests of the American people. This move is not just about fiscal responsibility; it's about ensuring that government agencies are not co-opted to promote political agendas at the expense of the public. As the administration continues to scrutinize federal spending, it is clear that the era of wasteful and politically motivated expenditures may be coming to an end. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Axios.com DailyMail.co.uk
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