White House Cancels $8 Million in Taxpayer Funds to Politico Amid Federal Spending Scrutiny
The White House has confirmed that Politico received over $8 million in taxpayer funds through government subscriptions, primarily from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that these payments will be canceled as part of a broader effort to scrutinize federal spending. Leavitt emphasized that the administration is committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively and that such subsidies to media outlets will no longer continue. The decision follows claims by MAGA commentators that Politico delayed payroll payments due to a crackdown by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), though Politico attributed the delay to a technical error.
Politico CEO Goli Sheikholeslami and Global Editor-in-Chief John Harris issued a memo to staff, denying any reliance on government subsidies and stating that the majority of their subscriptions come from the private sector. The controversy has sparked debates about government spending on media subscriptions, with right-wing figures using public records to highlight payments to various outlets. The administration’s focus on cutting media budgets underscores its prioritization of reducing federal expenditures, even as critics question the broader implications for press freedom and government transparency.
DOGE targets government media subscriptions after MAGA attacks
Right-wing personalities are using USAspending.gov to dig up payments from the government to media organizations for subscriptions.
www.axios.com
Poland spends big on arms to stay friends with Trump
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz warns that Europe must spend more “to retain the presence of the Americans in Europe.”
www.politico.eu
Karoline Leavitt: White House confirms 'Politico' received $8 million USAID funds: 'DOGE will cancel those payments' | World News - The Times of India
US News: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that USAID had been funding media outlets like Politico, but this practice will be stop
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
POLITICO Pro: DeSantis to tap agency secretary as his next chief of staff
The governor’s office began telling top aides on Tuesday that Jason Weida would soon replace longtime DeSantis ally James Uthmeier as chief of staff.
subscriber.politicopro.com
DOGE aide pops up in EPA staff directory
Elon Musk has often butted heads with the country’s top environmental agency, and the aide's presence there may indicate a shake-up is imminent.
www.eenews.net
White House announces DOGE is canceling payments to Politico
Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that Politico has been receiving funds from the U.S. government that will dry up as DOGE cracks down on spendi
www.foxnews.com
Fed agencies ending $8M Politico contracts after Elon Musk calls them ‘wasteful’ use of taxpayer money
The Tesla CEO warned that media outlets that take government subscriptions would ‘experience a mysterious drop in revenue.’
nypost.com
Like it or not, the rules-based order is no more
In Trump’s world, it does little good to use the language of treaties or rules or laws. For Denmark and others to get their way, they’ll have to speak
www.politico.eu
Ukraine reels in Trump with mineral riches
The U.S. president’s relentless pursuit of raw materials is storing up trouble for Greenland, but could well be good news for Ukraine.
www.politico.eu
Kremlin says talks with US have ‘intensified’ in recent days
“There are indeed contacts between individual departments,” says spokesperson for Vladimir Putin.
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