Tech billionaire Elon Musk has ignited fresh debate over U.S.-funded media, calling for the closure of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which he dismissed as “radical left crazy people talking to themselves.”
Responding to a post by Richard Grenell, former U.S. ambassador and Special Envoy, who labeled the outlets “state-owned relics,” Musk didn’t hold back. “Yes, shut them down,” he wrote on X, slamming the organizations for burning through $1 billion in taxpayer funds annually.
The media outlets, funded by the U.S. Agency for Global Media, were created to counter propaganda during the Cold War and still operate in regions with press restrictions, such as Russia and Iran. Supporters argue they remain vital for global information access, while critics see them as outdated and politically skewed.
Musk’s comments echo past Republican efforts to defund government-backed international media. However, with strong Democratic opposition in Congress, any move to shutter VOA or RFE/RL is bound to spark fierce political battles.
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