President Donald Trump issued a forceful ultimatum to Republican senators Thursday night, July 10, threatening to withhold his political support from any GOP lawmakers who oppose his proposed cuts to public broadcasting funding. The warning came as the Senate approaches a July 18 deadline to approve $9.4 billion in spending cuts inspired by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Trump’s threat, posted on Truth Social, specifically targeted the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds PBS and NPR. “Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement,” Trump declared in his post, referring to the public broadcasting system as worse than CNN and MSNBC combined.
The spending cuts package, which the House approved in June, includes eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting while also effectively shuttering USAID and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Trump previously attempted to defund NPR through an executive order, prompting a lawsuit challenging the legality of such action.
Several Republican senators have expressed reservations about the proposed cuts, particularly regarding their impact on rural communities and Native American populations. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds voiced concerns about public broadcasting services in rural areas, noting that Native American tribes rely heavily on public radio systems that would be affected by the rescission package. Rounds indicated his office is working with the Office of Management and Budget to find alternatives that would preserve funding for tribal radio stations.
Montana Senator Steve Daines, West Virginia’s Shelly Moore Capito, and Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski have voiced similar concerns about cuts to public broadcasting. Murkowski characterized public broadcasting as a lifeline for her constituents. Maine Senator Susan Collins has objected to targeting the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief within the broader cuts package.
The political dynamics surrounding these cuts are complicated by upcoming elections. Rounds, Daines, Capito, and Collins all face reelection in 2026, while Murkowski’s term expires in 2028. Notably, Murkowski did not receive Trump’s endorsement in 2022 but successfully won a fourth term without his support.
Trump’s broader economic policies have created uncertainty across multiple sectors. Manufacturing employment has shown little change since Trump took office in January, with the sector losing a combined 14,000 jobs in May and June. Factory hiring fell to its weakest rate since 2016, while manufacturing job openings have declined by nearly 100,000 since the start of the administration.
Trade policies have also affected international relationships. Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on imported copper, set to take effect August 1, which has drawn criticism from Canadian labor organizations. The United Steelworkers union condemned the move, with National Director Marty Warren indicating that the tariffs would drive up costs and disrupt supply chains for workers on both sides of the border.
The copper tariffs come as Canada serves as the second-largest supplier of copper to the United States, with over half of Canada’s copper exports going to the American market in 2023. The announcement occurred just days before a July 21 deadline for Canada and the United States to reach an agreement in ongoing trade negotiations.
Federal employment has declined significantly since Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency in January. Government data shows federal employment fell by 7,000 jobs in June alone, bringing total federal job losses to 69,000 since the beginning of the year. The Elon Musk-led organization has sought to slash federal spending partly through eliminating government positions.
Regional impacts of proposed cuts extend beyond broadcasting. Northeast Ohio business leaders warned that proposed budget cuts could cost up to 1,200 jobs at NASA Glenn and among local contractors. The Greater Cleveland Partnership and regional development organizations have urged federal officials to reconsider the cuts.
Despite these challenges, overall hiring showed resilience in June, with the U.S. economy adding 147,000 jobs according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent, maintaining near-historic lows. However, economists predict job growth may slow in the second half of 2025 as tariffs and policy uncertainty continue to affect business decisions.
The July 18 Senate deadline approaches as Trump maintains pressure on Republican lawmakers to support his spending reduction agenda. The outcome will determine whether the administration can implement its proposed cuts to public broadcasting and other federal programs despite resistance from some within the president’s own party.
