Musk Ridicules Pro-Western 'Independent' Media Over Loss of US Funding
Elon Musk has criticized the supposed “independence” of pro-Western media outlets in Russia and Ukraine following a decline in US funding. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Numerous publications will struggle to stay afloat after Donald Trump suspended most foreign aid
Elon Musk has criticized pro-Western Russian and Ukrainian media outlets over their perceived lack of “independence,” as these publications find themselves facing serious financial challenges due to US President Donald Trump’s restrictions on the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Following his inauguration, Trump suspended most foreign aid pending a three-month review, which significantly impacted USAID, responsible for funding political projects abroad. He has called for the agency's complete dissolution, citing widespread corruption and inefficiency.
On Sunday, Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency and is a vocal opponent of USAID, ridiculed a Washington Post article titled “Independent media in Russia, Ukraine lose their funding with USAID freeze.” He commented, “‘Independent media’ lmao,” using the acronym for “laughing my a** off.”
The Washington Post report underscored the financial distress faced by many pro-Western media outlets in Ukraine and Russia in the wake of Trump’s return to the White House. It highlighted how the funding freeze impacted small regional outlets and investigative websites in Ukraine.
Detector Media, a Ukrainian journalism watchdog, cautioned last week that “We risk losing the achievements of three decades of work and increasing threats to Ukraine’s statehood, democratic values, and pro-Western orientation.” Natalya Ligachova, the head of Detector Media, estimated that “more than 50%” of media outlets rely, at least in part, on American support.
Meanwhile, The Moscow Times, an Amsterdam-based newspaper available in English and Russian, reported that as many as 90 Russian organizations operating abroad—many accused of disseminating false information about Russia—have lost US funding. According to the report, many of these organizations may have to cease their operations entirely. The Moscow Times itself has been labeled “undesirable” by the Russian government for “discrediting” the country’s foreign and domestic policies.
Before the USAID funding suspension, Russian officials consistently accused the US of engaging in an information warfare campaign, alleging that numerous foreign-funded liberal outlets were being utilized against Russia to justify the West’s “hybrid aggression.” In response to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Moscow implemented strict measures to counter falsehoods regarding the Russian military, instituting penalties of up to 15 years in prison for violations.
Despite ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated last September that media are still free to express their opinions in accordance with the Constitution. However, he emphasized that both domestic and foreign media are required to adhere to the nation’s laws.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Elon Musk has criticized pro-Western Russian and Ukrainian media outlets over their perceived lack of “independence,” as these publications find themselves facing serious financial challenges due to US President Donald Trump’s restrictions on the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Following his inauguration, Trump suspended most foreign aid pending a three-month review, which significantly impacted USAID, responsible for funding political projects abroad. He has called for the agency's complete dissolution, citing widespread corruption and inefficiency.
On Sunday, Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency and is a vocal opponent of USAID, ridiculed a Washington Post article titled “Independent media in Russia, Ukraine lose their funding with USAID freeze.” He commented, “‘Independent media’ lmao,” using the acronym for “laughing my a** off.”
The Washington Post report underscored the financial distress faced by many pro-Western media outlets in Ukraine and Russia in the wake of Trump’s return to the White House. It highlighted how the funding freeze impacted small regional outlets and investigative websites in Ukraine.
Detector Media, a Ukrainian journalism watchdog, cautioned last week that “We risk losing the achievements of three decades of work and increasing threats to Ukraine’s statehood, democratic values, and pro-Western orientation.” Natalya Ligachova, the head of Detector Media, estimated that “more than 50%” of media outlets rely, at least in part, on American support.
Meanwhile, The Moscow Times, an Amsterdam-based newspaper available in English and Russian, reported that as many as 90 Russian organizations operating abroad—many accused of disseminating false information about Russia—have lost US funding. According to the report, many of these organizations may have to cease their operations entirely. The Moscow Times itself has been labeled “undesirable” by the Russian government for “discrediting” the country’s foreign and domestic policies.
Before the USAID funding suspension, Russian officials consistently accused the US of engaging in an information warfare campaign, alleging that numerous foreign-funded liberal outlets were being utilized against Russia to justify the West’s “hybrid aggression.” In response to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Moscow implemented strict measures to counter falsehoods regarding the Russian military, instituting penalties of up to 15 years in prison for violations.
Despite ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated last September that media are still free to express their opinions in accordance with the Constitution. However, he emphasized that both domestic and foreign media are required to adhere to the nation’s laws.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
