Elon Musk calls for shutdown of 'relic' US‑funded broadcasters
Elon Musk, leading the American Department of State Efficiency, has expressed his support for closing Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. Both broadcasters are funded by the US government.
Elon Musk shared his position on the social media platform X, in response to a post by Richard Grenell, the former intelligence chief from President Donald Trump's administration.
Musk on relics of the past
Grenell described Radio Free Europe and Voice of America as "relics of the past," asserting that the US government does not need state media, which he claims are full of "extreme leftist activists."
Musk agreed with this opinion, writing: "Yes, shut them down." He further stated that Europe, aside from its "suffocating bureaucracy," is already free, and maintains that no one listens to these media outlets.
Musk also criticised the expenditure on these institutions, stating: "They're just insane leftists who talk to each other, wasting £820 million a year of taxpayer money."
The history and operations of the broadcasters
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was founded in 1949 with the mission of operating in regions where the free flow of information is restricted. It currently broadcasts in 27 languages across 23 countries, with its headquarters located in Prague. Meanwhile, Voice of America is a radio and television station that broadcasts in 47 languages and reaches an audience of 278 million people weekly.
Both institutions are overseen by the US Agency for Global Media. At its helm is Brent Bozell, a conservative columnist and activist appointed by President Trump. Bozell is known for his criticism of liberal media.
