
Netflix announced it will be the new home of Sesame Street, safeguarding the beloved program following its split with HBO and President Donald Trump's executive order to eliminate all federal funding to PBS.
The program's salvation has been met with backlash by some conservatives online, who celebrated Trump's withdrawal of funding as another win against "woke" culture.
The Trump administration has concentrated executive powers on eliminating DEI initiatives from the government, universities, law firms, and businesses, while criticizing media platforms, including PBS and NPR, for promoting "woke" ideology with what it describes as biased programming.
While Sesame Street has been subsidized by federal grants, the majority of the show's budget has been provided by HBO since 2015. But this year, HBO allowed their contract with Sesame Street to expire, leaving the program in financial crisis.
Longtime fans celebrated Netflix's adoption of the show, but some on the political right took to social media to voice disapproval.
Gay and woke puppets incoming!
— Vista Larga Games | ᯅ (@VistaLargaGames) May 19, 2025
"Thanks for reminding me, I need to cancel your woke platform," one user posted.
Others labeled the show "propaganda," "brainwashing," and claimed the puppets were part of a broader effort to "indoctrinate kids."
W for Woke. P for Propaganda. B for Brainwashing. I for Indoctrination.
— Emotion Detector (@ForceTenGauge) May 19, 2025
The backlash follows years of criticism from conservative circles over Sesame Street's inclusive messaging and social themes.
The cast of child-friendly puppets has generally been regarded as politically neutral, welcoming guests from both sides of the aisle — including former First Ladies Barbara Bush and Michelle Obama, who both appeared on the show during their time in the White House.
Trump however, was a target of Sesame Street satire long before his presidential aspirations surfaced. The recurring Muppet character "Ronald Grump" first appeared in 1988, when he sought to evict Oscar the Grouch from his trash can in order to build "Grump Tower."
Netflix will debut the show's 56th season later this year, featuring new stories and a revamped episode format. New episodes will continue to air for free on PBS and PBS KIDS digital platforms, ensuring access for all families.
Whether the criticism will impact viewership remains to be seen, but the show's sunny days are set to continue for now — this time, brought to you by the letter "N."
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.