TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
October 2 , 2025
Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration announced yesterday that it will rescind federal funding previously allocated to the New Herald Tribune, a national nonprofit news outlet known for its investigative reporting and public affairs coverage. The decision marks the first time in over two decades that a sitting administration has revoked funding from a press organization citing concerns over editorial content.
Speaking from the South Lawn, President Donald J. Trump described the Tribune as "fake news" and stated, "It's fake news, and it ought to be shut down. Taxpayer dollars shouldn't be used to support partisan lies."
The New Herald Tribune, established in 2003, receives a portion of its operating budget through public media grants administered by the National Endowment for Journalism (NEJ), a nonpartisan agency created under the Public Media Support Act. In the last fiscal year, the Tribune was awarded $4.2 million in grant funding, supporting investigative journalism initiatives in underserved regions.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the decision was made following a review of recent Tribune reporting that the administration believes displayed "consistent editorial bias and misleading narratives aimed at discrediting the executive branch."
Tribune Editor-in-Chief Amina Russell issued a written statement late Wednesday, defending the outlet’s work. “We categorically reject the characterization of our journalism as ‘fake news,’” she wrote. “Our reporting is independently verified, rigorously sourced, and held to the highest professional standards. The withdrawal of federal support for political reasons sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom.”
The NEJ, which typically distributes funding through a bipartisan board of directors, said it had not been consulted prior to the administration’s announcement. “While the Executive Branch has oversight authority, the removal of funds without a formal review process undermines the integrity of the grant system,” said NEJ chair Marcus Feldman.
The move has drawn mixed reactions across the political spectrum. Some Republican lawmakers praised the decision, accusing the Tribune of having a liberal slant. Senator Jared Holt (R-FL) called it “a long-overdue correction,” saying, “The American people shouldn’t be forced to subsidize attacks on their elected officials.”
However, First Amendment advocacy groups and several media watchdog organizations have expressed concern. “Whether one agrees with the Tribune’s coverage or not, retaliating against journalism through financial coercion is not consistent with democratic norms,” said Jane Lin, director of the Free Press Alliance.
Legal analysts note that while federal funding is not constitutionally guaranteed to media outlets, the timing and reasoning behind its removal could be subject to judicial review if challenged. Several legal advocacy groups have indicated they are exploring options.
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