PBS CEO Paula Kerger discussed the challenges faced by the organization during a session at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival. Kerger highlighted the year 2025 as particularly significant, following the revocation of federal funding by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. She described a series of events, including a letter from FCC Chair Brendan Carr probing PBS' corporate partnerships and a request from then-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for her and NPR's CEO to testify before a committee hearing titled "Anti-American Airwaves."
Kerger stated that signing the lawsuit against Trump regarding the funding revocation was a sobering moment for her. She noted that the immediate effects of the funding cuts included difficulties in financing new programming and layoffs of 100 staff members. Kerger also mentioned efforts to rally support from documentarian Ken Burns to influence Senate votes on public media funding.
Despite the challenges, Kerger reported a positive outcome with the establishment of a fundraising initiative called the Bridge Fund, aimed at providing financial support to stations affected by the funding cuts. She also mentioned that PBS has gained approximately one million new members since the funding was revoked, with many contributing monthly.