PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: PBS and its signature children’s show, Sesame Street, face accusations of “grooming” children after posting LGBTQ Pride Month content on social media.
👥 Who’s Involved: PBS, Sesame Street, Congressional Republicans, including Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
📍 Where & When: The controversy unfolded online on platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram during LGBTQ Pride Month.
💬 Key Quote: Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) said the post was “evil and should infuriate every parent in America.”
⚠️ Impact: Renewed calls from Republicans to defund PBS and NPR, with a House vote on this issue expected soon.
IN FULL:
PBS and its iconic children’s program Sesame Street are under fire following a social media post celebrating LGBT Pride Month. The post, shared on X and Instagram, featured an image of multi-colored puppets forming the shape of a Pride flag, accompanied by the message: “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 Pride Month.”
The post drew swift criticism, particularly from members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC). The group, whose membership remains undisclosed, responded with a meme of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) captioned, “I am once again asking PBS to stop grooming children.”
Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) also condemned the post, labeling it “evil” and urging parents to take notice. On X, she demanded, “DEFUND!!”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) echoed her sentiments, referencing a separate Sesame Street clip from 2020 featuring Queer Eye host Jonathan Van Ness, and stating, “Federal funds aren’t for grooming.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) joined the criticism, accusing PBS of “grooming children on American taxpayers’ dime” and calling for accountability from the broadcaster’s executives.
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! pic.twitter.com/6JJFhxO9dC
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) June 1, 2025
The controversy comes as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, prepares for a House vote on defunding PBS and NPR. Greene has publicly declared her intent to vote “YES” on the measure.
This debate follows President Donald J. Trump’s executive order to halt taxpayer funding for PBS and NPR, citing the need for public broadcasting to remain “fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan.” NPR has since filed a lawsuit seeking to block the presidential directive.
According to the Associated Press, PBS and NPR collectively receive approximately $500 million annually through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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