Politico

2025 - 2 - 5

Doge to the Rescue? Politico's $8M Subscription Drama Unleashes Chaos!

conspiracy theories - DOGE - Elon Musk - government funding - Karoline Leavitt - MAGA - Politico - Trump administration - USAID - White House

When government cuts $8 million from Politico, Elon Musk's name looms large. Let the conspiracy theories and office invasions begin!

In a surprising twist that has left pundits scratching their heads and conspiracy theorists celebrating, the Biden administration has decided to pull the plug on Politico's hefty $8 million subscription deal. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that federal funding for the political news outlet would ‘no longer be happening’ – a move that came on the heels of escalating online tensions following Elon Musk's public statements regarding government media subscriptions. Musk warned that media outlets reliant on government funding might find themselves in financially hot water, and it appears the administration may be heeding his words, or should we say, taking out the trash?

But before you can say "political theatre", a peculiar scene unfolded as Democratic lawmakers Judy Chu and Gwen Moore burst into House Speaker Mike Johnson's office. The unannounced visit was a not-so-gentle nudge to engage in meaningful discussions about Musk and his influence over Congressional spending decisions. Rumor has it they were told to book a time—this isn't a fast food drive-thru, folks! Meanwhile, back at Politico headquarters, the aftermath of the subscription cancellation is ruffling feathers, as staffers have reported late payments, which they suspect might be Musk's doing. Apparently, the ripple effect of cutting government ties isn’t just on the books; it's echoing through the wallets of journalists too.

In response to these unfolding events, Senator Mike Lee has raised alarms over claims that Politico is allegedly receiving funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development. His assertions raised eyebrows and led to further scrutiny, along with electrifying conversations about how government dollars should be spent. With all these layers of intrigue and a twist worthy of a soap opera, Politico seems to be in a tight spot. Will the press outlet fend off the storm, or will this cancellation be the final nail in their subscription coffin?

It’s hard to imagine the rippling consequences of this decision, especially for magazine-wielding journalists amid a climate of economic uncertainty. As government contracts draw to an abrupt close, analysts are betting that the media landscape may shift dramatically with Politico leading a charge into the unknown. And just when you think things couldn't get more bizarre, remember that Musk's tweets hold the power to send shockwaves through the bloodlines of journalism—who knew our Twitter feeds could dictate fiscal policy?

In fact, speaking of mind-bending realities, did you know that Politico was founded in 2007 with the daring intent to bring a new kind of political journalism to life? Fast forward to today, and they've become a critical player in political news coverage, even sparking debates about ethics and media influence in government. And let’s not forget, with every number tossed around, like that $8 million subscription, it’s a testament to the vital relationship between politics and the press – one that seems poised for a dramatic shake-up. Keep your popcorn handy, folks; the political circus is heating up!

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Image courtesy of "Axios"

DOGE targets government media subscriptions after MAGA attacks (Axios)

The federal government will stop spending money on Politico subscriptions after paying millions of dollars to the news outlet last year, press secretary ...

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Image courtesy of "Politico"

Two Dem lawmakers barge into House speaker's office in backlash ... (Politico)

Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) barged into House Speaker Mike Johnson 's office unscheduled on Wednesday and challenged him about Elon Musk's team ...

White House says it will cancel $8 million in Politico subscriptions ... (WRAL.com)

(CNN) — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, responding Wednesday to a question about a right-wing conspiracy theory, announced that the federal ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo! Voices"

DOGE Cancels Politico's Government Funding After $8 Million in ... (Yahoo! Voices)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the political outlet's funding "will no longer be happening" The post DOGE Cancels Politico's Government ...

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Image courtesy of "The Dispatch"

Claims That Politico Received USAID Funds Are False (The Dispatch)

The Trump administration has frozen billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance as it looks to curb unnecessary federal spending across the government.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo News"

Politico pays employees late; staffers believe Elon Musk's ... (Yahoo News)

Politico staffers received their bi-weekly direct deposits late this week, irking staffers who believe Elon Musk's crackdown on government spending played a ...

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Image courtesy of "New York Post"

Fed agencies ending $8M Politico contracts after Elon Musk calls ... (New York Post)

The Tesla CEO warned that media outlets that take government subscriptions would 'experience a mysterious drop in revenue.'

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Image courtesy of "News3LV"

GOP senator sounds alarm over USAID payments to Politico ... (News3LV)

Sen. Mike Lee reacted to a post on social media platform X Wednesday about Politico receiving payments from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

White House says it will cancel $8 million in Politico subscriptions ... (CNN)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, responding Wednesday to a question about a right-wing conspiracy theory, announced that the federal government ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC NEWS 4"

GOP senator sounds alarm over USAID payments to Politico ... (ABC NEWS 4)

Sen. Mike Lee reacted to a post on social media platform X Wednesday about Politico receiving payments from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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Image courtesy of "KSL.com"

White House says it will cancel $8M in Politico subscriptions (KSL.com)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, responding Wednesday to a question about a right-wing conspiracy theory, announced that the federal government ...

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Image courtesy of "Washington Free Beacon"

Musk Vows to Eliminate 'Wasteful' Politico Subscriptions for Federal ... (Washington Free Beacon)

Elon Musk, the African-born immigrant entrepreneur President Donald Trump authorized to rein in spending, vowed on Wednesday to end the federal government's ...

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Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

EU hires Trump-linked lobbying firm to survive trade war (POLITICO.eu)

BRUSSELS — European Union diplomats in the United States have hired a prominent Republican-linked lobbying firm with ties to the first Donald Trump ...

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Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

Trump rescinds $4B in US pledges for UN climate fund (POLITICO.eu)

The U.S. had committed the most money to the global fund, which helps over 100 countries grapple with the changing world.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Republican ire at USAID finds an unusual target: Politico (The Washington Post)

Elon Musk and elected officials falsely said Politico was subsidized by the government. Turns out, government officials were just paying for subscriptions.

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Image courtesy of "Newsweek"

Why is DOGE canceling Politico subscriptions at the White House? (Newsweek)

In reality, the money in question was part of broader federal spending on subscriptions to these news organizations, rather than grants or subsidies provided by ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Trump Amplifies Conspiracy Over U.S. Payments to Politico (The New York Times)

President Trump spread unfounded claims that the government had paid Politico and other news media outlets for positive coverage of Democrats.

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Image courtesy of "Rolling Stone"

Trump and Musk Are Pushing an Absurd Lie About Government and ... (Rolling Stone)

Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and right-wing commentators are spreading lies about government payments to Politico, claiming coordination with the media.

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Image courtesy of "Washington Times"

Politico: Millions in government payments were subscriptions, not ... (Washington Times)

Politico says the millions of dollars it received from the U.S. government were for subscriptions and should not be construed as some kind of subsidy or ...

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Image courtesy of "Euronews"

White House cancels millions in Politico subscriptions amid Musk ... (Euronews)

Announcing millions of dollars of cuts to online subscriptions, the Trump administration's press secretary repeated misleading statements used to justify ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Trump repeats rightwing claim that USAid subscriptions to Politico ... (The Guardian)

As Elon Musk dismantles the agency, Trump claims subscription fees to the outlet could be 'biggest scandal of them all'

Note to Our Readers - POLITICO (Politico)

POLITICO is a privately owned company. We have never received any government funding—no subsidies, no grants, no handouts. Not one dime, ever, in 18 years.

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Image courtesy of "The Hill"

Politico publishes note 'to set the record straight' on government ... (The Hill)

President Trump with Elon Musk on Nov. 19, 2024, in Boca Chica, Texas.

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Image courtesy of "northernvirginiamag.com"

White House Says It Will Cancel $8 Million in Politico Subscriptions (northernvirginiamag.com)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said more than $8 million that has gone to subscriptions, and this "will no longer be happening.”

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