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Senate minority staff estimated $69.6 million for USAGM administrative leave

Reporting and findings

  1. estimate

    PSI minority staff estimated $69,632,687.34 in pay for U.S. Agency for Global Media personnel placed on administrative leave.

  2. documented

    Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.

  3. documented

    Susie Wiles was the Trump White House chief of staff.

Summary and current status

The shutdown paid journalists and support staff while public broadcasting was disabled.

$69.63 million minority-staff estimate through July 2025

People and organizations

Relationships in this file

  1. Elon Muskpaid staff while disabling public broadcasting operationsU.S. Agency for Global Media
  2. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
  3. Donald J. TrumpTrump White House chief of staffSusie Wiles

Money trail

  1. payment$69.6 million for USAGM administrative leave$69.63 million
    Estimated source
    U.S. Agency for Global Media
    Estimated recipient
    Employees on administrative leave
    Financially affected
    Public-media audiences, agency operations, and taxpayers
    estimated · 2025-07-31 · observedRead source record
    Calculation detailsPopulation U.S. Agency for Global Media employees on leavePeriod 2025-01-20 to 2025-07-31Basis Staff modeled compensation using workforce and leave-period data.Limits Estimate may not capture every return-to-work date or contractor cost. Non-additive with the report's aggregate estimate.