Al Hurra Channel Stops Broadcasts, Lays Off Staff Amid Funding Cuts

Alhurra, a U.S.-funded Arabic-language news outlet with a claimed audience of 30 million, has terminated most staff and ceased TV programming due to funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration. Jeffrey Gedmin, the network's chief, accused the administration and Elon Musk of unlawfully freezing congressionally approved funds, leaving the organization unable to pay its employees. Gedmin specifically criticized Kari Lake, Trump's appointee overseeing U.S.-funded media, for avoiding discussions about the funding issues. The White House has not commented on the situation. Alhurra is the latest in a series of U.S. government-funded media outlets facing operational cuts, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe. This funding freeze is part of a broader move by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency.