Elon Musk arrived at the White House prepared to take a chainsaw to the federal government, promising to slash $2 trillion in spending. A little more than 100 days later, the world’s richest man is retreating from Washington far short of that goal after an often painful education in the mechanics of the U.S.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency recently ordered AmeriCorps to terminate nearly $400 million in grants. As a result, Boulder Public Library (CO) has lost funding for two “digital navigators”—positions that help people navigate new technology, including applying for jobs online and accessing digital resources. About 80 people, mostly older residents, visited the digital navigators each month, according to David Farnan, director of the Boulder Public Library District.
The formal agenda of the Federal Communications Commission's April open meeting seemed well in line with its normal wonky pursuits. Commissioners spoke, proposals were voted on unanimously, and Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Trump, ran things smoothly, though his demeanor was rather boisterous. An observer might conclude that despite the new administration, it was business as usual at the FCC.
President Trump has once again thrown down the gauntlet against the corporate media—this time by taking CBS to court. But we must go beyond the courtroom to move from outrage to reform. It’s time to hit fake news where it hurts most: financially.
The Federal Communications Commission moved to terminate over 2,000 official proceedings that have become dormant and no longer serve a purpose for the American people. In particular, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau is seeking public comment on reasons not to terminate these dockets that have been identified by staff from around the agency as inactive or moot. Nearly 100 other dockets were closed administratively in advance of the release.
Friday, May 2, 2025
© 1994-2026 Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. All Rights Reserved.
