Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has abruptly canceled all government-funded subscriptions to Politico, a move that could significantly impact the publication’s revenue and raise concerns over press freedom. The decision, reportedly influenced by Elon Musk’s growing role in federal policy decisions, comes amid heightened tensions between the administration and major media outlets.
According to Yahoo News, the directive to cut Politico’s government subscriptions was issued following discussions between President Donald Trump and Musk, who has been increasingly vocal about his disdain for mainstream media. Politico, a leading news outlet covering U.S. politics and policy, relies heavily on subscriptions from federal agencies, making this move a major financial setback for the organization.
CNN reported that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was among the first agencies to comply, canceling its contracts with Politico as part of a broader effort to cut federal media expenditures. Other agencies, including the State Department and Department of Defense, are also expected to follow suit.
Axios highlighted Musk’s involvement in the decision, noting that the billionaire—who has publicly clashed with Politico over its reporting on his business ventures and political affiliations—pushed for the move, claiming that taxpayer money should not fund media organizations that engage in “biased reporting”.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from press advocates, with media watchdogs warning that targeting a specific publication for financial retaliation could set a dangerous precedent. Critics argue that government agencies routinely subscribe to major news outlets to stay informed on policy matters, and singling out Politico raises concerns about political interference in media access.
Despite the backlash, Trump and his allies have defended the decision, arguing that government spending on media subscriptions should be re-evaluated. The White House has not ruled out similar cuts to other publications, raising fears that other media organizations critical of the administration could face similar repercussions.
As Politico scrambles to adjust to the funding loss, industry analysts say the decision could reshape the relationship between media organizations and the federal government, potentially impacting the broader landscape of political journalism in the U.S.
