In a surprising move, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Wednesday that the federal government would cancel $8 million worth of Politico subscriptions. The decision follows a right-wing conspiracy theory falsely claiming that Politico and the Associated Press (AP) received USAID (United States Agency for International Development) funds as part of a government subsidy. However, investigations show that these payments were for government agency subscriptions to Politico Pro, not grants or subsidies.
This controversy, fueled by misinformation, has led to public debate about media funding, government spending, and the politicization of journalism. Let’s break down what actually happened.
Table of Contents
What Is Politico?
Politico is a major news organization covering U.S. and global politics. Founded in 2007, it has gained credibility for its in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and Politico Pro—a high-end subscription service offering specialized news and analysis for professionals, including government officials, corporations, and policymakers.
What Is Politico Pro?
Politico Pro is a premium news service that provides policy and legislative insights tailored for professionals in sectors such as healthcare, finance, technology, and government affairs. It is widely used by corporate executives, government agencies, and advocacy groups who require up-to-date and in-depth political analysis.
- Subscription Cost: Politico Pro subscriptions vary but can cost thousands of dollars annually per user, depending on the package.
- Subscribers: Thousands of government officials, journalists, and corporate clients subscribe to Politico Pro for its exclusive content.
Breaking Down the Politico-USAID Funding Controversy
The Conspiracy Theory
On Wednesday, conservative commentator Kyle Becker posted on X (formerly Twitter), falsely claiming that Politico received USAID funds, implying that the media outlet was being secretly funded by the U.S. government. Becker referenced a USAspending.gov page, which showed that federal agencies spent $8.2 million on Politico subscriptions across 237 transactions.
White House Response
At a White House press briefing, Karoline Leavitt referenced these claims and stated that taxpayer dollars had been allocated toward “essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico” and announced that these payments would be canceled immediately.
However, as investigative journalists quickly pointed out, this claim was false and misleading.
The Truth: Government Agencies Subscribed to Politico Pro
Contrary to right-wing media narratives, Politico did not receive grants or direct USAID funding. Instead, multiple federal agencies—including but not limited to USAID—subscribed to Politico Pro to access political and policy insights essential for their work.
Key Facts:
- The $8.2 million spent on Politico came from multiple federal agencies, not just USAID.
- These were subscription payments for Politico Pro, not grants or subsidies.
- The Associated Press (AP) has similar government contracts, as do other major news organizations.
- This is standard practice—governments worldwide purchase news subscriptions for intelligence and analysis.
Political Reactions and Media Response
Elon Musk and Right-Wing Figures Amplify Misinformation
After Becker’s post went viral, several right-wing media figures, including Charlie Kirk, Benny Johnson, and Dana Loesch, further spread the false claim that Politico was being funded by USAID. Musk, who now oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, reacted by calling the alleged payments a “huge waste of taxpayer money!”
Politico and AP Respond
In response to these claims, Politico executives Goli Sheikholeslami and John Harris issued a memo to staff denying any government funding:
“POLITICO has never been a beneficiary of government programs or subsidies — not one cent, ever, in 18 years.”
Similarly, the Associated Press (AP) stated:
“The federal government has long been an AP customer—through both Democratic and Republican administrations. It licenses AP’s nonpartisan journalism, just like thousands of news outlets and customers around the world.”
Historical Context: Trump Administration’s War on Media Subscriptions
This isn’t the first time a Republican administration has targeted government-funded news subscriptions.
In 2019, the Trump administration urged all federal agencies to cancel subscriptions to The Washington Post and The New York Times, alleging bias. However, it was unclear whether this directive was widely enforced.
Why Government Agencies Subscribe to News Services
Government employees often need real-time political and economic analysis to make informed decisions. Agencies routinely purchase subscriptions to news services like:
- Politico Pro
- The Wall Street Journal
- The New York Times
- Bloomberg Government
- The Associated Press
These services provide exclusive reports, policy insights, and legislative updates that help agencies develop strategies, analyze policy, and prepare briefings.
Implications of the Subscription Cancellation
1. Impact on Government Intelligence
If government agencies lose access to Politico Pro, it could hamper their ability to track policy changes, legislative updates, and global affairs—key information necessary for decision-making.
2. Political Motivations Behind the Move
The cancellation decision appears politically motivated rather than a cost-cutting measure. The administration canceled subscriptions based on a conspiracy theory rather than actual financial mismanagement.
3. Broader Media-Politics War
This controversy is part of a larger battle between conservative politicians and mainstream media outlets. The move raises concerns about:
- Press freedom and access to information
- Political interference in government operations
- The role of misinformation in shaping policy decisions
Conclusion: What This Means for Journalism and Government Accountability
The White House’s decision to cancel $8 million in Politico Pro subscriptions highlights the growing politicization of media funding. Despite misinformation suggesting otherwise, Politico was not secretly funded by USAID or receiving taxpayer subsidies.
This incident serves as a reminder that:
✔️ News organizations must fight misinformation with facts.
✔️ Governments rely on journalism for policy decisions.
✔️ Media funding transparency is crucial in the digital age.
While the Biden administration’s stance on this issue remains unclear, the controversy underscores the increasing pressure on independent journalism in a polarized political climate.
FAQs
1. Did Politico receive USAID funds?
No. The $8.2 million was spent by various federal agencies on Politico Pro subscriptions, not direct grants or subsidies.
2. Why do government agencies subscribe to Politico Pro?
Politico Pro provides exclusive policy analysis, legislative updates, and in-depth political reporting necessary for government decision-making.
3. What is the cost of a Politico Pro subscription?
Politico Pro subscriptions vary, often costing thousands of dollars per user annually.
4. Has the U.S. government canceled news subscriptions before?
Yes. In 2019, the Trump administration urged agencies to cancel subscriptions to The Washington Post and The New York Times.
5. Will this affect Politico’s revenue?
Possibly. However, many private corporations and advocacy groups also subscribe to Politico Pro, meaning the impact may be limited.