The Steady Drip: Republicans Blast PBS Over Pride-Themed 'Sesame Street' Post (Connecting the Dots: Sen. Bernie Sanders, PBS, NPR, Sesame Street, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Michael Bloomberg, Merryl Tisch & Soros Funding, All Networking)

Republicans Blast PBS Over Pride-Themed 'Sesame Street' Post (Connecting the Dots: Sen. Bernie Sanders, PBS, NPR, Sesame Street, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Michael Bloomberg, Merryl Tisch & Soros Funding, All Networking)

Newsmax.com

By Jim Thomas | Monday, 02 June 2025 07:34 PM EDT

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/republicans-sesame-street-npr/2025/06/02/id/1213329/

Several congressional Republicans are calling for PBS to be defunded after "Sesame Street" shared a Pride Month message online, accusing the network of "grooming" children and using federal funds to push what they say is a partisan agenda, The Hill reported.

"On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let's build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth!" the X post read. It featured a drawing of the program's beloved puppets holding hands, their arms forming a rainbow.

The post went live at midnight on June 1, marking the start of LGBTQ Pride Month.

The Republican Study Committee (RSC), a coalition of House Republicans whose full membership is not publicly disclosed, responded to the post with a meme featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., alongside the caption: "I am once again asking PBS to stop grooming children."

Neither PBS, "Sesame Street," nor Sanders' office responded to requests for comment. The RSC also did not reply to an inquiry for further explanation.

The controversy comes as PBS is locked in a growing dispute with Congress and President Donald Trump's administration over federal funding. In May, Trump signed an executive order targeting public media, claiming both PBS and National Public Radio (NPR) produce "biased and partisan news coverage."

Both networks have filed lawsuits challenging the order.

The "Sesame Street" Pride post has drawn additional fire from Republican lawmakers, who say it supports the administration's case for stripping PBS of taxpayer funding.

"PBS is grooming children on American taxpayers' dime. This is unacceptable. Congress must defund them and hold the executives accountable," said Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., referencing a 2020 "Sesame Street" clip featuring "Queer Eye" host Jonathan Van Ness.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, echoed that sentiment, writing, "Federal funds aren't for grooming."

Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., identified on her website as an RSC member, also condemned the post. "This is evil and should infuriate every parent in America," Miller wrote Monday on X. "DEFUND!!"

The criticism is the latest in a series of Republican-led attacks on LGBTQ-inclusive messaging in public education and media as Trump's administration moves to restrict LGBTQ rights through executive action.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has signed orders aimed at banning transgender people from serving openly in the military, blocking trans athletes from girls' and women's sports, ending federal support for gender-affirming care for minors, and cutting funding for LGBTQ health services.

Amid those policy moves, Republican lawmakers are increasingly turning their attention to cultural symbols of inclusion — like "Sesame Street"— to bolster their push to reshape federal media funding and restrict LGBTQ visibility in federally supported programming.

Connecting the Dots:
Bernard Sanders is the strategist for the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and the VT congressional delegation senator.

Patrick J. Leahy is a VT congressional delegation senator, and Karen Marangi was his counsel.

Karen Marangi was Patrick J. Leahy’s counsel and is a principal for the Raben Group.

Melody C. Barnes was a principal at the Raben Group, the director at the Domestic Policy Council for the Barack Obama administration the EVP for the Center for American Progress and is Barack Obama’s golf partner.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, was a supporter for the Center for American Progress and the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Laura Nichols was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and the SVP for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Donald A. Baer is a director at the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and a trustee at the Urban Institute (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Urban Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Warren E. Buffett is a life trustee at the Urban Institute (think tank) and an adviser at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank).

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, a benefactor for the National Public Radio (NPR) and the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the National Public Radio (NPR) and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and funded study that led to creation of the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

David A. Hamburg is the president emeritus for the Carnegie Corporation of New York, an adviser for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank) and Margaret A. Hamburg’s father.

Margaret A. Hamburg is David A. Hamburg’s daughter, the VP for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank) and the commissioner for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank) and funded the study that led to the creation of the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank).

Donald Kennedy was a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and a commissioner for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, a benefactor for the National Public Radio (NPR) and the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the National Public Radio (NPR) and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and funded study that led to creation of the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Vincent A. Mai is the chairman of the Sesame Workshop and an overseer at the International Rescue Committee.

Merryl H. Tisch is a trustee at the Sesame Workshop, a director at the International Rescue Committee and a friend of Michael R. Bloomberg.

ONE Campaign is a partner with the International Rescue Committee.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

ONE Campaign is a partner with the International Rescue Committee.

Michelle Obama was an advocate for the ONE Campaign.

Morton H. Halperin is a director at the ONE Campaign and a senior adviser for the Open Society Foundations.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, was a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone and the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee, the Harlem Children's Zone and the Robin Hood Foundation.

Michael R. Bloomberg was an advocate for the ONE Campaign, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a donor for the Robin Hood Foundation, a New York (NY) mayor and a friend of Merryl H. Tisch.

ONE Campaign is a partner with the International Rescue Committee.

Clifford S. Asness is a director at the International Rescue Committee, was a leadership council member for the Robin Hood Foundation and supported same-sex marriage in New York.

Vincent A. Mai is an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and the chairman of the Sesame Workshop.

Merryl H. Tisch is a trustee at the Sesame Workshop, a director at the International Rescue Committee and a friend of Michael R. Bloomberg.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Carnegie Corporation of New York funded the study that led to the creation of the Sesame Workshop and was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, a benefactor for the National Public Radio (NPR) and the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the National Public Radio (NPR) and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and funded study that led to creation of the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

William A. Owens was a trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York and an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Thomas R. Pickering was a trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York, is a co-chair for the International Crisis Group and a distinguished fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and is a board member at the International Crisis Group.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Lawrence H. Summers is a board member for the International Crisis Group, was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), the National Economic Council chairman for the Barack Obama administration and a director at Teach for America.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for Teach for America and funded study that led to creation of the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Newton N. Minow is an honorary trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York, a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Michelle Obama was a lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP.

Barack Obama was an intern at Sidley Austin LLP.

R. Eden Martin is counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and the president of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Cameron F. Kerry is a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, John F. Kerry’s brother and a fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Cyrus F. Freidheim Jr. is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Valerie B. Jarrett is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the senior adviser for the Barack Obama administration, and her great uncle is Vernon E. Jordan Jr.

Newton N. Minow is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP and an honorary trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Richard W. Riley was a trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the secretary for the U.S. Department of Education.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for Achieve Inc.

Achieve Inc. helped develop the Common Core educational standards.

Race to the Top encourages the adoption of the Common Core educational standards and is a grant program for the U.S. Department of Education.

Jeb Bush is a supporter for the Common Core educational standards, and an advisory committee member for the Hispanic Leadership Network.

Hispanic Leadership Network is an offshoot of the American Action Network.

James A. Nussle is a board member for the American Action Network and a U.S. program advisory panel member for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was a funder for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the Brookings Institution (think tank) and the Alliance for Excellent Education.

Margaret Spellings is a U.S. program advisory panel member for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the commissioner for the Leading Education by Advancing Digital Commission and was the secretary for the U.S. Department of Education.

Ann M. Fudge is the U.S. program advisory panel chair for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Diane S. Ravitch was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and the assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the founder of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank), and the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Carnegie Corporation of New York funded study that led to creation of the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Geoffrey T. Boisi is a trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York and an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank),

Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle and a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP.

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Laura Nichols was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and the SVP for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Melody C. Barnes was the EVP for the Center for American Progress, the director at the Domestic Policy Council for the Barack Obama administration, a principal at the Raben Group and is Barack Obama’s golf partner.

Karen Marangi is a principal for the Raben Group and was Patrick J. Leahy’s counsel.

Patrick J. Leahy’s counsel was Karen Marangi and is a VT congressional delegation senator.

Bernard Sanders is the VT congressional delegation senator and the strategist for the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.

Mark Longabaugh is the strategist for the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and was the SVP for the League of Conservation Voters.

League of Conservation Voters is a national partner with America Votes.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a national partner with America Votes.

Cecile Richards was the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the founder & president of America Votes, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and a grant overseer for the Turner Foundation.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations and was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank), the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank) and funded study that led to creation of the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank).

Ted Turner is a co-chairman for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank), the founder of CNN and the chairman for the Turner Foundation.

Cecile Richards was a grant overseer for the Turner Foundation, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the founder & president of America Votes and the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a national partner with America Votes.

League of Conservation Voters is a national partner with America Votes.

Mark Longabaugh was the SVP for the League of Conservation Voters and is the strategist for the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.

Bernard Sanders is the strategist for the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and the VT congressional delegation senator.

Patrick J. Leahy is a VT congressional delegation senator and his counsel was Karen Marangi.

Karen Marangi was Patrick J. Leahy’s counsel and is a principal for the Raben Group.

Melody C. Barnes was a principal at the Raben Group, the director at the Domestic Policy Council for the Barack Obama administration, the EVP for the Center for American Progress and is Barack Obama’s golf partner.

Laura Nichols was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and the SVP for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

George Soros was a supporter for the Center for American Progress and the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress, the American Constitution Society and the Alliance for Justice.

Robert Raben was a director at the American Constitution Society, an assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice, is a director at the Alliance for Justice and the president of the Raben Group.

Karen Marangi is a principal at the Raben Group and was a lobbyist at Patton Boggs LLP.

Stephen McHale is a partner at Patton Boggs LLP and was the chief counsel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Frank G. Wisner is the foreign affairs adviser at Patton Boggs LLP and a director emeritus at Refugees International.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Refugees International.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Karen Marangi was a lobbyist at Patton Boggs LLP and is a principal at the Raben Group.

Raben Group is the lobby firm for the Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.

Michael R. Bloomberg is a co-chair for the Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a friend of Merryl H. Tisch and was an advocate for the ONE Campaign.

ONE Campaign is a partner with the International Rescue Committee.

Merryl H. Tisch is a director at the International Rescue Committee and a friend of Michael R. Bloomberg and a trustee at the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Clifford S. Asness is a director at the International Rescue Committee, was a leadership council member for the Robin Hood Foundation and supported same-sex marriage in New York.

Vincent A. Mai is an overseer at the International Rescue Committee and the chairman of the Sesame Workshop.

Carnegie Corporation of New York funded study that led to creation of the Sesame Workshop.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Merryl H. Tisch is a trustee at the Sesame Workshop, a director at the International Rescue Committee and a friend of Michael R. Bloomberg.

ONE Campaign is a partner with the International Rescue Committee.

Michael R. Bloomberg was an advocate for the ONE Campaign, a friend of Merryl H. Tisch and the founder of the Bloomberg Family Foundation.

Bloomberg Family Foundation was a funder for the America Achieves.

Jon Schnur is the chairman for the America Achieves and a board member for Be the Change.

Kevin Jennings was the president & CEO for Be the Change, an assistant deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Education and the founder & executive director for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

Shirley M. Hufstedler was the secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Bloomberg Family Foundation was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and Demos.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Demos was a funder for the National Education Association.

John I. Wilson was an executive director for the National Education Association and is a director at the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

Maria Echaveste was a trustee at Demos, a board of adviser’s member for the American Constitution Society and is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Center for American Progress, the American Constitution Society and the Alliance for Justice.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, was a supporter for the Center for American Progress and the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Laura Nichols was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and the SVP for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was a funder for the Center for American Progress.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP, an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle.

Valerie B. Jarrett is Vernon E. Jordan Jr’s great niece, a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and was the senior adviser for the Barack Obama administration.

Newton N. Minow is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP and an honorary trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Richard W. Riley was a trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the secretary for the U.S. Department of Education.

Sesame Street is a program for the Sesame Workshop.

Resources: Past Research

Research: Soros Even Networks in Sesame Street to get Kids Vaccinated (This was in 2015) (Past Research on Sesame Street)

Thursday, December 2, 2021

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2021/12/research-soros-even-networks-in-sesame.html

Carnegie Gives Maryland $3 Million to Open High Schools for Immigrants Lacking English Skills (Past Research on the Carnegie Corporation of New York)

Sunday, July 20, 2014

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2014/07/carnegie-gives-maryland-3-million-to.html

Bernie Sanders Defends Planned Parenthood Funding After it Sells Aborted Baby Body Parts (Past Research on Bernie Sanders)

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2016/04/bernie-sanders-defends-planned.html

FIX IS IN: PBS Moderators Ignore Clinton Scandals (Past Research on PBS)

Friday, February 12, 2016

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2016/02/fix-is-in-pbs-moderators-ignore-clinton.html

Disney Channel to Introduce First Ever Gay Storyline (Past Research on the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network)

Thursday, October 26, 2017

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2017/10/disney-channel-to-introduce-first-ever.html

PBS 'Favorites' Tweet from Guy Who Just Wished Death on Brandon Darby *UPDATE: PBS Apologizes* (Past Research on PBS)

Monday, November 4, 2013

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2013/11/pbs-favorites-tweet-from-guy-who-just.html

Protesters Demand Kellogg Remove Artificial Colors From Froot Loops and Other Cereals (Connecting the Dots: Kellogg, The Albright Stonebridge Group, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) & Soros Funding, All Networking) (Past Research on Warren Buffett & the Urban Institute (think tank).

Monday, December 30, 2024

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2024/12/protesters-demand-kellogg-remove.html

Bill Maher: NPR 'Crazy Far Left,' Stop Government Funding (Connecting the Dots: NPR, PBS, HBO, Bill Maher, Gun Control & Soros Funding, All Networking) (Past Research on the NPR)

Monday, March 31, 2025

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2025/03/bill-maher-npr-crazy-far-left-stop.html

International Rescue Committee (Past Research on Sesame Street)

Thursday, December 21, 2017

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2017/12/international-rescue-committee.html

Hours After John Kerry Demands Green Transition Accelerated – His Emissions Closet Swings Wide Open (Connecting the Dots: Cameron Kerry, John Kerry, Teresa Heinz Kerry, Soros, the Climate Reality Project, the Brookings Institution (think tank), the EPA and onto the FDA, Pfizer & Johnson & Johnson. It’s the Network That Never Ends. One Project (Climate Change) Just bleeds into the Next (Covid Project)) (Past Research on Cameron Kerry)

Thursday, July 21, 2022

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2022/07/hours-after-john-kerry-demands-green.html

Charleston: CNN’s Sick Pattern of Using the Dead as Political Weapons Against the Right (Past Research on CNN)

Saturday, June 20, 2015

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2015/06/charleston-cnns-sick-pattern-of-using.html

More GOP Reps Join Call to Abolish ATF (Connecting the Dots: Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Gun Control, Refugees International, Patton Boggs LLP, The Raben Group, U.S. Department of Justice, Covington & Burling LLP, The National Football League (NFL), Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi & Soros Funding, All Networking) (Past Research on the Raben Group)

Friday, January 17, 2025

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2025/01/more-gop-reps-join-call-to-abolish-atf.html

Mexico Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage: Marriage Not for ‘Procreation’ (Past Research on Same-Sex Marriage)

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2015/06/mexico-legalizes-same-sex-marriage.html