Several congressional Republicans are calling for PBS to be defunded after "Sesame Street" shared a Pride Month message online, accusing the network of "grooming" children and using federal funds to push what they say is a partisan agenda, The Hill reported.
"On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let's build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth!" the X post read. It featured a drawing of the program's beloved puppets holding hands, their arms forming a rainbow.
The post went live at midnight on June 1, marking the start of LGBTQ Pride Month.
The Republican Study Committee (RSC), a coalition of House Republicans whose full membership is not publicly disclosed, responded to the post with a meme featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., alongside the caption: "I am once again asking PBS to stop grooming children."
Neither PBS, "Sesame Street," nor Sanders' office responded to requests for comment. The RSC also did not reply to an inquiry for further explanation.
The controversy comes as PBS is locked in a growing dispute with Congress and President Donald Trump's administration over federal funding. In May, Trump signed an executive order targeting public media, claiming both PBS and National Public Radio (NPR) produce "biased and partisan news coverage."
Both networks have filed lawsuits challenging the order.
The "Sesame Street" Pride post has drawn additional fire from Republican lawmakers, who say it supports the administration's case for stripping PBS of taxpayer funding.
"PBS is grooming children on American taxpayers' dime. This is unacceptable. Congress must defund them and hold the executives accountable," said Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., referencing a 2020 "Sesame Street" clip featuring "Queer Eye" host Jonathan Van Ness.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, echoed that sentiment, writing, "Federal funds aren't for grooming."
Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., identified on her website as an RSC member, also condemned the post. "This is evil and should infuriate every parent in America," Miller wrote Monday on X. "DEFUND!!"
The criticism is the latest in a series of Republican-led attacks on LGBTQ-inclusive messaging in public education and media as Trump's administration moves to restrict LGBTQ rights through executive action.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has signed orders aimed at banning transgender people from serving openly in the military, blocking trans athletes from girls' and women's sports, ending federal support for gender-affirming care for minors, and cutting funding for LGBTQ health services.
Amid those policy moves, Republican lawmakers are increasingly turning their attention to cultural symbols of inclusion — like "Sesame Street"— to bolster their push to reshape federal media funding and restrict LGBTQ visibility in federally supported programming.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.