White House Ends Politico’s Government Funding Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Wednesday that Politico will no longer receive taxpayer money after revelations that the politics-focused news outlet had taken in more than $8 million through subscriptions and government contracts.
Leavitt stated that the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, will oversee the termination of these payments. “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,” she said Wednesday.
“The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now,” she added.
Leavitt emphasized that the administration is thoroughly reviewing federal spending. Any expenditures that do not “serve the interests of the American people” will be eliminated.
This development follows reports that Politico missed its latest payroll run, though those payments have since been resolved.
Her press briefing came as Musk aggressively pursues budget reductions, including efforts to defund National Public Radio. His actions have drawn criticism from various media figures and politicians.
The administration has clarified that Musk “can’t do and won’t do” anything without official approval. Politico is not the only news outlet receiving government funds. The Associated Press has been allocated $619,968, Reuters is set to receive $3.1 million, and The New York Times has $378,266 earmarked.
Elon Musk holds the designation of “special government employee” through his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative established to reduce federal spending. His employee status was confirmed by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, though she was unsure whether he had obtained security clearance.
DOGE, which is not an official federal department, has faced criticism and legal challenges since its inception. Several lawsuits have been filed, including one by unions and advocacy groups over DOGE’s access to Treasury Department payment systems. The lawsuit argues that DOGE’s actions violate privacy regulations and calls for greater transparency regarding Musk’s role in the government.
In response, Leavitt stated that Musk has complied with all applicable federal laws in his capacity as a special government employee.
