Democrats invoke children's shows in bizarre defense of PBS, NPR: 'Fire Elon, Save Elmo'

Both PBS and NPR have been heavily criticized for political bias and for advancing leftist ideologies like gender ideology, such as a PBS movie called "Real Boy," which, according to PBS, follows a transgender-identifying teen as he "navigates adolescence, sobriety, and physical and emotional ramifications of his changing gender identity."

Sitting in front of a giant poster reading, "Fire Elon, Save Elmo," Casar went on, "How about Arthur the Aardvark? Has he ever fired independent government watchdogs who are investigating his companies? The answer is no."  

"I'm told we're here to talk about government efficiency, but Daniel Tiger has not blown $10 million of taxpayer money to play golf with his friends. But Donald Trump has, just at the beginning of his administration. Miss Piggy hasn't been caught funneling billions of dollars in government contracts to herself. But Elon Musk has, and Arthur has not fired independent government watchdogs investigating him and his companies. But Elon Musk has fired at least five,"

Casar suggested that Republicans are using PBS and NPR as a "scapegoat" to "try to distract from the fact that Trump and Musk are robbing working people."

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., also had a peculiar defense for NPR and PBS, asking PBS President Paula Kerger, "Is Elmo now or has he ever been a member of the Communist Party of the United States?"

Garcia went on to say that Elmo "has a very dangerous message about sharing and helping each other. He's indoctrinating our kids, that sharing is caring. Now, maybe he's part of a major socialist plot and maybe that's why the chairwoman is having this hearing today."

He also indicated that Republicans are considering defunding PBS for using characters such as Big Bird to push for COVID-19 vaccines.

Garcia called the taxpayer funding for NPR and PBS a "tiny federal investment," and said, "We need public media like PBS and NPR more than ever."  

"The message I think today is very, very simple. If we're going to get rid of any puppeteers, we should get rid of the one that's actually controlling Donald Trump," he said. "Fire Elon Musk and save Elmo."