Applaud PBS For Defying Trump’s Attack On Public Media

In a bold stand for truth, education, and democracy, PBS just premiered Ken Burns’ sweeping new series The American Revolution — even after President Trump succeeded in stripping all federal funding from public broadcasting for the first time in nearly 60 years. The message is unmistakable: public media isn’t backing down.

Despite layoffs, confusion, and the sudden loss of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s support, PBS is proving its strength with a massive, nationwide rollout of Burns’ six-night documentary event. Stations across the country — especially in rural communities — are fighting to stay on the air, backed by emergency grants, surging donations, and millions of Americans who refuse to let public media die.

This series is exactly the kind of ambitious, truth-telling work PBS was built to do. Burns spent a decade creating it, and even personally called Republican lawmakers to try to save funding — because he knows America needs public storytelling that isn’t controlled by billionaires or political agendas. Even some members of Congress who voted to defund PBS are lining up to shake his hand, recognizing the undeniable importance of this work.

Add your name to applaud PBS, Ken Burns, and public media workers nationwide for standing strong, defying political attacks, and continuing to bring Americans together through honest history and shared national storytelling.