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The White House has decided to cancel $8 million worth of Politico subscriptions after a false right-wing conspiracy theory spread online. The claim suggested that Politico and the Associated Press (AP) received millions in USAID funding, but investigations have proven this false. The payments were merely federal agencies subscribing to Politico’s Pro service for news and analysis.
The False Claim That Sparked the Controversy
A conservative commentator, Kyle Becker, posted on social media platform X that Politico received USAID funds. He attempted to link a temporary payment issue at Politico to this false claim. This misinformation was quickly picked up by right-wing media personalities, fueling the spread of the conspiracy theory. However, official records from USASpending.gov clearly state that the $8.2 million paid to Politico came from various federal agencies subscribing to its premium services.
Politico funding, per the U.S. government's spending website:
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) February 6, 2025
U.S. government (FY 2024): $8.4 million
Department of State: $1 million
USAID (under State Dept.): $24,000
U.S. government (total): $34 million
Some "conspiracy theory" @CNN https://t.co/9IzXmWwZIi pic.twitter.com/yqE2WwVxvC
White House Response
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the claim during a briefing. She stated that taxpayer money would no longer be used to fund Politico subscriptions, saying, “The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now.” However, journalists and analysts quickly clarified that the payments were standard subscriptions and not government grants or subsidies.
.@PressSec: "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." pic.twitter.com/9uA1imuKtt
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 5, 2025
Politico’s Stand on the Issue
Politico’s leaders, Goli Sheikholeslami and John Harris, released a memo to their staff denying that their company received any government funding. They explained that government agencies, like many corporations, subscribe to their premium news services. The memo emphasized that Politico has never benefited from government programs or subsidies and that their journalism remains independent.
The Role of Misinformation
This incident highlights how misinformation spreads quickly online, especially when amplified by influential figures. Right-wing media personalities such as Benny Johnson and Charlie Kirk promoted Becker’s false claim. Ironically, one of these figures, Johnson, had previously been exposed for receiving illegal payments from the Russian government.
Musk’s Involvement
Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, also reacted to the claim, calling the alleged payments a waste of taxpayer money. However, experts in media and journalism defended the legitimacy of these government subscriptions.
Government and Media Subscriptions: A Common Practice
The Associated Press also responded to the controversy, stating that governments worldwide have long subscribed to their news services. Many government agencies rely on premium journalism to make informed decisions. Isaac Saul, founder of the Tangle newsletter, called the allegations “DOGE nonsense,” reiterating that subscriptions to premium news services are routine.
Similar Actions by the Trump Administration
This is not the first time a conservative administration has attempted to cut ties with media organizations. In 2019, the Trump administration urged federal agencies to cancel subscriptions to The Washington Post and The New York Times. However, it remains unclear whether all agencies complied with this directive.
Conclusion
The White House’s decision to cancel $8 million in Politico subscriptions is based on a false narrative that has been widely debunked. The controversy once again highlights the dangers of misinformation in today’s digital landscape. While the move might please some political figures, it could hinder government employees’ access to crucial news and analysis.
