Dear Revealer,

Monika Bauerlein here, CEO of the Center for Investigative Reporting—the nonprofit that brings you the shows Reveal and More To The Story, the documentaries of CIR Studios, and the magazine Mother Jones.

I’m here to say: President Donald Trump is at it again.

He is ramping up his campaign to muzzle and silence the press. He wants newsrooms that ask tough questions to either shut up or shut down. That’s no surprise—it’s been the same since his first administration. What has been staggering to witness this time around is how many in Congress and corporate media are lining up to help him do it.

What does it mean when the media gets intimidated into playing it safe? It means truth loses—and fear wins.

This is no longer just about rhetoric or loose talk about violence against journalists. It’s a coordinated strategy: financial intimidation through nuisance lawsuits, abuse of federal power, and now killing all federal funding for public broadcasting.

For us at the Center for Investigative Reporting, this hits close to home. Our award-winning show Reveal airs on hundreds of public radio stations nationwide. And public radio stations—especially in rural and tribal communities—will be forced to cut back or go dark when funding runs out this fall.

This wasn’t about fiscal responsibility. It was punishment—pure and simple. A vendetta against any outlet Trump considers disloyal.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting—created in 1967 with bipartisan support—has already announced plans to wind down operations. A foundational piece of America’s media infrastructure is being dismantled before our eyes.

But here’s what Trump didn’t count on:

We’re not backing down. We’re not going quiet. And we’re certainly not shutting up. When public media is attacked, it’s essential that independent outlets rise to the challenge. We’re doing exactly that—with your help.

I’m thrilled to share some big news: A generous CIR board member has stepped up with a $50,000 Matching Gift Challenge. For a limited time, every gift will be matched dollar for dollar.

The other big front in Trump’s media war this summer? His shakedown of CBS.

He personally sued CBS over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, claiming that the network had violated consumer protection laws with “deceptive editing.” Experts called the lawsuit baseless.

Paramount, CBS’s parent company, initially fought back. But then the Federal Communications Commission opened a retaliatory investigation—right as Paramount was seeking government approval for its $8 billion merger with Skydance.

The result? Paramount settled with Trump for $16 million. Then CBS canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a move Trump gloatingly applauded on his Truth Social platform.

This is how Trump operates: Sue, threaten, silence. He’s gone after The Wall Street Journal, ABC, CBS, CNN, the Des Moines Register, Simon & Schuster—even the Pulitzer Prize board.

But here’s the truth: Trump and his allies don’t get to decide what’s true.

Facts are facts. And even when they try to suppress them, the truth finds a way out. While public media’s funding is under attack and too many in corporate media are knuckling under, independent, people-powered journalism is rising.

We’re here for it. But we can’t do it without you.  

This moment is critical. For a short time, every gift will be matched, helping us reach more people, dig deeper into the truth, and hold power to account.

We’re doubling down. Will you stand with us?

Please give as generously as you can to support our revelatory journalism—and know that every dollar will go twice as far in the fight for truth.

With high hopes,

Monika Bauerlein

CEO

Reveal | CIR Studios | Mother Jones | More To The Story

The Center for Investigative Reporting

P.S. I don’t scare easily—but this is a dangerous moment for journalists and the future of independent media in America. If you believe in the power of truth, please make a gift to the Center for Investigative Reporting and help us meet the $50,000 Matching Gift Challenge. Every dollar you give will be doubled. Thank you.