Overview

• President Donald Trump issued an executive order dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media, halting funding for outlets like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA).
• The move is part of broader federal spending cuts led by Trump and Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, and has led to mass layoffs and operational shutdowns.
• Critics argue the decision undermines decades of U.S. soft power, leaving millions in authoritarian nations without access to unbiased news and information.
• European leaders, including the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, have expressed concern but indicated the EU may not be able to fully replace U.S. funding for RFE/RL.
• Russian state media celebrated the shutdown, with analysts suggesting it aligns with Kremlin interests by reducing Western influence and enabling unchecked propaganda.