A Controversy Erupts: The White House Cancels Politico Subscriptions Over Baseless Conspiracy Theories
The White House has sparked controversy after announcing the cancellation of $8 million worth of Politico subscriptions, citing baseless claims that the federal government was subsidizing the news outlet through taxpayer dollars. During a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt referenced a conspiracy theory circulating on social media, which falsely alleges that Politico and the Associated Press (AP) received millions of dollars in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Leavitt claimed that taxpayer money had been used to subsidize Politico subscriptions and stated that these paymentswould no longer continue. However, the reality is far more straightforward: the $8.2 million spent last year represents the combined cost of subscriptions to Politico Pro, a premium news service used by various federal agencies for their work.
The Origins of the Conspiracy Theory: Right-Wing Commentators and Misinformation
The false narrative that Politico and the AP were receiving USAID funds gained traction after conservative commentator Kyle Becker shared a misleading post on X (formerly Twitter). Becker attempted to link a technical error in Politico’s payroll system, as reported by Semafor, to the $8.2 million listed on USASpending.gov. He erroneously claimed that USAID was funding Politico’s operations, tweeting, “Fun Fact: @Politico received USAID funds. Everything makes sense now.” Becker’s post was quickly amplified by far-right media personalities, including Benny Johnson, Charlie Kirk, and Dana Loesch, who called for protests outside Politico’s offices.
Becker’s claims were further legitimised when Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, commented on the post, calling the alleged payments “a huge waste of taxpayer money!” However, the reality is that the $8.2 million spent on Politico Pro subscriptions came from various federal agencies, not just USAID. These subscriptions provide access to critical news, analysis, and data that federal employees rely on to perform their duties effectively. Byron Tau, an investigative reporter at the AP, clarified that the payments were for subscription services, not grants or federal funding.
The Backlash and Misinformation Spread Like Wildfire
Despite the fact that the claims were debunked by journalists and fact-checkers, the conspiracy theory quickly gained momentum online. Far-right figures seized the opportunity to attack Politico and the AP, framing the subscriptions as evidence of government-funded propaganda. The narrative was further fueled by Musk’s involvement, as well as the White House’s decision to cancel the subscriptions. Leavitt’s announcement was met with skepticism by reporters, who pointed out that the payments were not exclusive to USAID and were part of standard operating procedures for federal agencies.
Politico and the AP Push Back Against False Claims
In response to the controversy, Politico’s leadership issued a memo to staff, denying any receipt of government funding. “POLITICO has never been a beneficiary of government programs or subsidies — not one cent, ever, in 18 years,” wrote Goli Sheikholeslami and John Harris, Politico’s top executives. They emphasized that government agencies, like corporations, pay for Politico Pro subscriptions because of the value of the service. The AP also issued a statement, explaining that the federal government has long been a customer of its news services, just like thousands of other organizations worldwide. “It’s quite common for governments to have contracts with news organizations for their content,” the AP said.
Independent journalists and media experts have also weighed in, dismissing the conspiracy theory as baseless. Isaac Saul, founder of the Tangle newsletter, called the narrative “DOGE nonsense,” explaining that Politico Pro is a premium service that provides valuable information to subscribers, including federal agencies. He noted that such subscriptions are a normal part of government operations and that other news organizations offer similar services.
A Broader Pattern of Attacking the Media
This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted media outlets over subscription costs. In 2019, the White House encouraged federal agencies to cancel their subscriptions to The Washington Post and The New York Times, though it is unclear how widely this directive was enforced. The latest move to cancel Politico subscriptions appears to be part of a larger effort to delegitimise independent media and stoke animosity toward journalists. By framing routine government subscriptions as a form of taxpayer subsidisation, the administration is perpetuating a false narrative that undermines the integrity of the press.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Press Freedom and Government Transparency
The cancellation of Politico subscriptions and the spread of conspiracy theories about government-funded media highlight a troubling trend in the erosion of trust in independent journalism. Federal employees rely on subscriptions to news services like Politico Pro to stay informed and make decisions based on accurate information. By framing these subscriptions as a waste of taxpayer money, the administration is not only attacking the media but also undermining the ability of government workers to do their jobs effectively.
Moreover, the amplification of baseless claims by high-profile figures like Musk and far-right commentators underscores the dangers of misinformation in the digital age. The fact that this conspiracy theory gained traction despite being thoroughly debunked raises concerns about the spread of falsehoods and their impact on public discourse. As the White House continues to clash with the media, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting press freedom and promoting transparency in government operations.
