Overview

• A viral LinkedIn post falsely claiming Elmo was laid off due to Trump administration budget cuts has been debunked and removed by LinkedIn.
• Sesame Workshop confirmed the post was fraudulent and reiterated its support for public funding to sustain PBS’s educational programming.
• President Trump’s May 1 executive order to terminate all federal funding for PBS and NPR includes cutting $23 million from the Ready To Learn program, crucial for early childhood education.
• PBS president Paula Kerger called the executive order “blatantly unlawful” and stated the organization is exploring legal and advocacy avenues to continue its mission.
• The hoax and funding cuts have mobilized public media advocates, with petitions and calls for constituents to contact lawmakers gaining traction.