Trump moves to axe over 500 US state media staff

Jobs will be cut across Washington’s propaganda outlets, an agency chief has confirmed

US President Donald Trump has ordered more than 500 jobs to be slashed at state-funded propaganda outlets, in the latest move to cut what his administration views as wasteful or partisan government spending.

The US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which in 2024 had a budget of some $882 million, oversees Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and other state-funded broadcasters, announced the cuts to 532 positions on Friday.

Acting chief executive Kari Lake said the move would “help reduce the federal bureaucracy, improve agency service, and save the American people more of their hard-earned money.”

Lake did not detail which divisions would be most affected, but said the agency would “improve its ability to function and provide the truth to people across the world who live under murderous Communist governments and other tyrannical regimes.”

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In June, USAGM issued layoff notices to more than 600 employees. VOA director Michael Abramowitz was placed on administrative leave and later dismissed. During related litigation, the government disclosed that 486 of the workers targeted under the “reduction-in-forces” plan were VOA staff.

Last week, US District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration had not followed proper procedure in firing Abramowitz.

Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA later became a Cold War propaganda tool under the CIA. Trump has labeled its current incarnation a “leftwing disaster” and “Democrat mouthpiece,” and in June called on Republicans to “kill” the outlet.

Russia revoked VOA’s radio license in 2014 and fully banned the broadcaster in 2022, citing biased coverage of the Ukraine conflict.