Trump's Media Takeover Plot: Project 2025 and the End of Free Press
In a recent revelation from the Project 2025 blueprint, the conservative playbook for a potential new Trump administration has unveiled its most alarming chapter yet: the complete takeover and control of media agencies. This 922-page document, which outlines a series of radical changes across various departments, dedicates Chapter 8 to transforming the Voice of America (VOA) and other publicly funded media into instruments of presidential propaganda.
Voice of America, a respected international broadcaster, delivers journalism in 48 languages to global audiences in countries where free press is scarce, such as China, India, and Iraq. Historically, VOA has maintained its independence despite receiving government funding, thanks to a “firewall” protecting it from political influence. However, Project 2025 aims to dismantle this safeguard, effectively turning VOA into a mouthpiece for the executive branch.
The document argues that as an executive branch agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, should report directly to the president and coordinate with the National Security Council. This would essentially transform VOA from an independent journalistic entity into a tool for disseminating government-approved narratives. Moreover, Project 2025 proposes bringing USAGM under the State Department, further entrenching political control over its operations.
This potential shift in media control mirrors tactics seen in authoritarian regimes worldwide, where control over information is a critical component of maintaining power. Hungary, under Viktor Orban, serves as a cautionary example. There, over 90% of media is controlled either directly by the state or by government allies, achieved through manipulative government funding and regulation. The document explicitly targets media independence, echoing Orban’s strategy of undermining democratic institutions.
Trump’s disdain for the free press is well-documented. He has labeled journalists as “enemies of the people” and consistently dismisses unfavorable coverage as “fake news.” His social media platform, Truth Social, was created to bypass traditional media scrutiny. During his presidency, Trump appointed Michael Pack to lead USAGM, who attempted to exert political influence over VOA and eliminate its protective firewall. Although Pack’s efforts were halted by a judge, Project 2025 provides a detailed plan to succeed where Pack failed.
Page 243 of Project 2025 states, “As an executive branch agency, the USAGM ostensibly should report to the president and coordinate activities with the National Security Council.” This clearly indicates an intention to integrate media control into the highest levels of government. The document further criticizes VOA’s current independence, claiming it hampers the ability to “tell America’s story” effectively.
The implications of such a shift are profound. An administration infused with Christian nationalist ideology could reshape the narrative of “America’s story” to align with its political agenda, stripping away diverse and critical perspectives. Trump’s rhetoric about revoking broadcast licenses and using courts to target independent journalists highlights his broader strategy to undermine media independence and consolidate power.
Zach Meacham, senior correspondent at Vox and author of “The Reactionary Spirit: How America’s Most Insidious Political Tradition Swept the World,” warns of the dangers this poses. “This is how authoritarianism takes root, by controlling the flow of information,” Meacham explains. “Trump’s distaste for the free press won’t be sated unless he can create and control his own state TV.”
Project 2025’s chapter on media is emblematic of its overarching goal: the eradication of political independence from the president across all branches of the U.S. government. By targeting the free press, the blueprint aims to eliminate one of the most crucial checks on executive power, paving the way for an authoritarian regime.
As the political landscape evolves, it is imperative to remain vigilant about threats to media independence. The lessons from Hungary and other backsliding democracies should serve as a stark warning: control over the press is a stepping stone to authoritarianism. The free flow of information is not just a cornerstone of democracy; it is its lifeblood.
