POLITICO has never been a beneficiary of government programs or subsidies—not one cent

President Trump on Thursday suggested the federal government was “paying off” media outlets to write positively about Democrats

A number of federal agencies allow some employees to expense subscriptions to newspapers, wire services and other media outlets so that they have information they need in many cases to do their jobs.

Some publications, such as Politico Pro, Punchbowl and other niche publications offer pricier subscriptions that cater to certain coverage areas, and provide detailed reporting of policy matters in Washington, D.C., that are meant for a more specialized audience of lobbyists and lawyers and others in the federal government.

Some government officials also are allowed to pay for these subscriptions to keep up with coverage.

The president named political publication Politico as a “left wing rag” that had “received” more than $8 million from the federal government

Musk and others noted that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other government agencies and its employees had paid millions in monthly subscriptions to Politico Pro and other news services.

In a memo sent to employees, obtained by The Hill on Thursday, Politico CEO Goli Sheikholeslami and Editor in Chief John Harris said the discussion Musk had sparked was “a fine conversation to have, and we welcome it.”

“POLITICO has never been a beneficiary of government programs or subsidies—not one cent, ever, in 18 years,” the outlet’s leadership said. “The value of this journalism is clear, as evidenced by our subscription re-enlistment rates.”
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