Republicans Approve Trump’s $9 Billion Cuts to Foreign Aid, Public Broadcasting

In a dramatic move early Friday, U.S. Congressional Republicans gave the green light to President Donald Trump’s proposal to eliminate $9 billion in funding from foreign aid programs and public broadcasting services. The decision marks a key victory for the administration and signals the beginning of broader federal budget-slashing plans.Republican leaders hailed the decision as a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility, despite criticism from Democrats and global aid advocates.

The cut is part of a revived push by President Trump to prioritize domestic spending and reduce what he terms “wasteful international commitments.”Though the $9 billion cut represents only a small fraction of the federal budget, it carries symbolic weight. It also follows the high-profile departure of tech billionaire Elon Musk from his controversial role overseeing cost-reduction efforts in Washington.

Musk, once an enthusiastic backer of Trump’s budget reform plans, abruptly resigned in May after a public falling-out with the president, claiming he had identified nearly $1 trillion in potential annual savings before his exit.

“This is just the beginning,” said House Budget Committee Chair Rep. Mark Reynolds (R-TX). “American taxpayers deserve to know their hard-earned dollars are being used wisely, and these cuts are a down payment on the accountability we promised.”

Critics, however, warn that defunding international aid and public broadcasting could harm U.S. global influence and limit access to vital educational and cultural programming at home.

The administration has indicated that additional rounds of spending reductions will be proposed in the coming months as Trump intensifies efforts to reshape federal priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.