John,

Republicans voted last week to claw back more than $1 billion in previously allocated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS across the country. They acquiesced to the Trump administration’s broader attacks on fact-based journalism.

This is what fascist regimes do: silence critics, obscure facts, and control the media narrative to suit their political goals of oppression and control.

Independent, fact-based journalism is critical to defending our democracy. That’s why, this week, in honor of my birthday and the city of Detroit’s birthday, I’m asking if you’ll join me in supporting Detroit Public Radio.

In order to make up for the loss of $500,000 in combined cash and in-kind support that was slashed by Congress last week, WDET is seeking 1,000 more members by October 1st, the beginning of their fiscal year.

Click here to make a one-time or recurring donation to Detroit Public Radio for my birthday. Together we can help Detroit Public Radio avoid cuts to news programming, public affairs, music, and more.

Please note that you will be prompted to select either “monthly sustainer” or “one-time gift” under Payment Method on the donation page.

While federal funding of NPR and PBS is critical, so too is the support of millions of individuals across the country. We can act together to ensure that trusted independent media remains a pillar of our democracy.

In solidarity,

Rashida

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rashida Tlaib
Date: Thu, Jul 24, 2025
Subject: Fascist attacks on independent journalism
To: [email protected]

John,

The attack on fact-based journalism reached a new level last week when Republicans voted to cancel more than $1 billion in previously allocated funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—impacting every local NPR and PBS station across the country.

In my hometown of Detroit, our local NPR affiliate—WDET - FM 101.9—will lose roughly $500,000 in combined cash and in-kind support. Unless they grow their membership quickly, this will result in cuts to news programming, public affairs, music, and more.

WDET is housed at my alma mater, Wayne State University. Today is my birthday and the city of Detroit’s birthday, and I want to celebrate by supporting Detroit Public Radio.

If you believe in journalism that is independent from corporate interests and the fascist politics of this administration, please join me in making a birthday donation to Detroit Public Radio today.

Please note that you will be prompted to select either “monthly sustainer” or “one-time gift” under Payment Method on the donation page.

In order to make up for the loss of $500,000 in federal funding, WDET has a goal of adding 1,000 more members before the start of their fiscal year, which begins October 1st. WDET was named Public Radio Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters three of the past four years, but this cut puts their programming in jeopardy. Whether it’s a one-time or recurring donation, every dollar donated is incredibly meaningful in sustaining this critical institution of independent journalism.

The presidential administration’s relentless attack on independent journalism is part of a broader attack on our democracy, our communities, and our rights.

Earlier this year, the Associated Press was barred from participating in the White House press pool for refusing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

Recently, CBS’s parent company Paramount paid $16 million to Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit that Trump brought against “60 Minutes.” Then Paramount and CBS announced the cancellation of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a frequent critic of Trump. This exemplifies how media corporations have come under increasing pressure to promote the administration’s positions or pay the price.

The rescinding of more than $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is the latest attack on independent public media—and it must not go unanswered.

Please join me today—on my and the city of Detroit’s birthday—in supporting Detroit Public Radio with a one-time or sustaining donation.

Every person who donates today helps build toward WDET’s goal of 1,000 more members and $500,000 raised by the start of their new fiscal year on October 1st.

Thank you for never giving up on the promise of our multi-racial, multi-cultural democracy. We’ll keep fighting against fascism, which involves supporting fact-based independent journalism.

In love and solidarity,

Rashida