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Trump Sparks Debate Over NPR CEO Katherine Maher’s Role on Signal Board
President Donald Trump is calling out NPR CEO Katherine Maher over her dual role as Chair of the Signal Board, raising concerns about whether her political views undermine the platform’s commitment to free speech and privacy. Maher’s history with left-leaning organizations and past criticisms of Trump have only intensified Republican fears of bias. With NPR already under fire for its taxpayer-funded operations, growing calls to defund the outlet are gaining momentum.
Trump Highlights Security Concerns After Signal Leak
Trump amplified concerns about Maher’s involvement with Signal by resharing a post from user “Publius” on X, which stated, “Katherine Maher, the leftist NPR CEO, is currently the Chair of the Board of Signal!” The post implied a potential conflict of interest between Maher’s leadership at NPR and her influence over the encrypted messaging platform.
This controversy comes amid a recent security breach where National Security Advisor Michael Waltz accidentally added a New York Magazine editor to a Signal group chat discussing a military strike in Yemen. The incident revealed that senior Trump administration officials were using Signal for classified discussions, raising alarms about the app’s security. Trump’s concerns about the leak have led to further scrutiny of Signal’s leadership.
Maher’s Background Raises Conservative Concerns
Katherine Maher’s career history has drawn criticism from conservatives, who argue that her leadership positions in media and technology raise red flags about internet censorship and government influence. Before joining NPR, Maher worked at the National Democratic Institute and served as CEO of Wikimedia, both organizations with strong ties to left-wing causes.
SIGNAL SCANDAL: Katherine Maher, the leftist NPR CEO, is currently the Chair of the Board of Signal!
WHAT ARE THE ODDS? pic.twitter.com/jWNTeAt3Jz
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) March 27, 2025
A May 2024 report by journalist Christopher Rufo examined Signal’s connections to U.S. intelligence agencies and raised questions about Maher’s presence on the board. Republicans worry that her past statements on Trump and her support for online content moderation could signal a bias against free speech on encrypted platforms.
Growing Criticism of NPR’s Perceived Bias
Maher’s leadership at NPR is also facing renewed scrutiny in congressional hearings on media bias. Critics argue that the publicly funded news organization has become a platform for leftist narratives, with some calling for its defunding. Even liberal commentator Bill Maher has expressed skepticism about NPR’s objectivity, stating, “I mean, they’re crazy far left. So, I mean, I think we’re past the age really where the government, first of all, why do we need to subsidize — why can’t we have outlets like this and we’re so polarized?”
How did zero people in Congress ask NPR CEO Katherine Maher about her being the CHAIR of the Board of Directors at SIGNAL when she was in front of them?
Did they not know?
Right now, Signal is one of the most talked about companies, because of Signalgate.
Its a google… pic.twitter.com/Wpkuanqlyd
— Mila Joy (@MilaLovesJoe) March 27, 2025
Republicans point to Maher’s past statements, including criticism of Trump and remarks questioning America’s founding principles, as evidence of her political bias. With concerns about Signal’s leadership and NPR’s objectivity growing, the debate over Maher’s role in shaping media and technology policies is only intensifying.
Sources:
Trump floats wild new conspiracy explaining the leaked Signal chat involving NPR’s CEO | Daily Mail Online
Bill Maher favors cutting public broadcasting funding, rejects NPR CEO’s testimony that outlet is unbiased