PBS is under renewed scrutiny from Republican lawmakers following a social media post by its long-running children’s program Sesame Street celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month.
The post, shared on both X and Instagram, depicted a group of multi-colored puppets holding hands in a pattern resembling the Pride flag, accompanied by a caption promoting inclusivity.
“On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy Pride Month,” the post read.
On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth! pic.twitter.com/6JJFhxO9dC
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) June 1, 2025
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The message prompted swift criticism from several Republican members of Congress.
The Republican Study Committee (RSC), a coalition of House GOP lawmakers, responded with a meme featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and the text: “I am once again asking PBS to stop grooming children.”
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Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) went further, writing on X, “PBS is grooming children. This is evil and should infuriate every parent in America,” adding, “DEFUND!!”
PBS is shamelessly grooming our children while collecting taxpayer dollars.
This is evil and should infuriate every parent in America. DEFUND!! https://t.co/wcfpw6g5JH
— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) June 2, 2025
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) also weighed in, responding to a resurfaced clip from a 2020 Sesame Street episode featuring Queer Eye host Jonathan Van Ness with the statement, “Federal funds aren’t for grooming.”
Federal funds aren’t for grooming
Through Sesame Street characters or otherwise
Defund PBS https://t.co/LZtDy6C4F2
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) June 2, 2025
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) echoed the sentiment, using the same clip to state, “PBS is grooming children on American taxpayers’ dime. This is unacceptable. Congress must defund them and hold the executives accountable.”
PBS is grooming children on American taxpayers’ dime.
This is unacceptable.
Congress must defund them and hold the executives accountable.
pic.twitter.com/dNvfoZCafA— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) June 2, 2025
The controversy comes as congressional Republicans prepare for a vote on legislation aimed at stripping federal funding from both PBS and NPR.
The effort is being led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who chairs the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE). Greene has publicly committed to voting in favor of defunding, stating she is a firm “YES” vote.
This follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in May titled “ENDING TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZATION OF BIASED MEDIA.”
The order calls for the immediate cessation of federal funds to PBS and NPR, stating that taxpayer dollars should not support media outlets that fail to provide “fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage.”
BREAKING: @POTUS just signed an executive order ENDING the taxpayer subsidization of NPR and PBS — which receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as “news.”
Here is the text of the order:
By the authority vested in me as President by the…
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 2, 2025
The Associated Press reports that both PBS and NPR receive approximately $500 million in public funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The order from the White House, combined with the upcoming House vote, puts that funding in jeopardy.
In response to the executive order, NPR filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of the funding halt.
The latest backlash also highlights a growing divide over public broadcasting’s role in promoting social messaging.
Critics argue that taxpayer-funded media should remain neutral and focused on education, not activism. Supporters of PBS and Sesame Street contend the programming encourages values of acceptance and inclusion.
The vote on the future of PBS and NPR funding is expected to take place later this month.
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