Democrats Substitute PBS Characters for Trump Admin in Remarks on Efficiency: 'Arthur Has Not Fired Independent Watchdogs'

During a heated congressional hearing, Democratic lawmakers used PBS characters like Arthur, Miss Piggy, and Elmo to mock Republican efforts to defund public broadcasting, arguing that public media is being unfairly targeted.

On Wednesday, the House DOGE Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), convened the hearing titled "Anti-American Airwaves: Holding the Heads of NPR and PBS Accountable," according to Fox News.

Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have criticized PBS and NPR for alleged political bias and have called for cutting federal funding. Trump recently stated he would be "honored" to defund NPR, citing what he described as its left-leaning agenda.

In a defense of public broadcasting, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) ridiculed Republican attacks by comparing PBS characters to figures in the Trump administration and Elon Musk. He sarcastically asked if Arthur the Aardvark had ever fired independent government watchdogs or if Miss Piggy had funneled government contracts to herself.

"How about Arthur the aardvark? Has he ever fired independent government watchdogs who are investigating his companies? The answer is no," Casar said. "Miss Piggy hasn't been caught funneling billions of dollars in government contracts to herself, but Elon Musk has. And Arthur has not fired independent government watchdogs investigating him and his companies, but Elon Musk has fired at least five."

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) joined in, joking about Elmo being accused of communism and Big Bird facing Republican backlash for promoting COVID-19 vaccines.

The debate is expected to continue as funding decisions for NPR and PBS move forward in Congress.