The executive branch announced it will stop funding subscriptions to Politico after spending over eight million taxpayer dollars last year. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated they are canceling these payments, part of a broader government effort to scrutinize spending. This decision taps into political discourse, particularly among right-wing figures who are now examining payments to other media outlets. Misunderstandings about government funding for media have intensified scrutiny, especially after Politico faced technical issues that caused payroll complications, provoking suggestions of government financial reliance.
"I was made aware of the funding of USAID to media outlets, including Politico ... And I can confirm that the more than eight million taxpayer dollars that have gone to essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico on the American taxpayer's dime will no longer be happening," Leavitt said. "The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now."
Right-wing personalities are using USAspending.gov to dig up more payments from the government to media organizations - like The New York Times, AP and Reuters - for products and subscriptions.
It's a prime example of how false information sweeps through social media - and it could spell trouble for Politico and any other media organization that has contracts for subscriptions with the government.
The story appears to have started when Politico missed payroll on Tuesday because of a tech snag, media reporter Will Sommer notes.
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