The government should stop funding media organizations that promote propaganda against democratically elected officials, Catharine O'Neill Gillihan, an official with the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development during President Donald Trump's first term, told Newsmax on Thursday.
"Well, also, it's totally out of alignment with our First Amendment, which is the freedom of the press. If you have the U.S. government funding the press, then that's not in alignment with our First Amendment," Gillihan told "The Chris Salcedo Show."
"So it's just really baffling to see how many organizations out there, especially in the media, not only in this country but all around the world. I mean, you have these other organizations, media organizations, that are funding and propping up propaganda, essentially against democratically elected officials," she said.
"It's all over, and it's time for it to come to an end."
Her comments came as the White House announced it was canceling Politico subscriptions previously paid for by USAID.
The Washington Times reported Wednesday that USAID had spent more than $8 million in taxpayer dollars to purchase Politico subscriptions.
"I can confirm that the more than $8 million taxpayer dollars that have gone to essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico on the American taxpayers' dime will no longer be happening," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the daily press briefing.
The decision followed revelations from the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, which uncovered $8.2 million in what it called "government subsidies" directed to Politico.
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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.
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