People Are Getting Seriously Emotional Over "Sesame Street's" Response To Trump's Budget Cuts

    "Defunding PBS is a crime against children."

    We've talk about this before, but Congress has passed a bill that will cut $1.1 billion in federal funding for PBS and NPR.

    A person in a suit clapping in a formal setting, with an American flag and presidential seal visible in the background

    Trump loved it, saying, "THIS IS BIG!!!"

    Tweet from Donald J. Trump: "House approves nine billion dollar cuts package, including NPR and public broadcasting. This is big!!!" Dated July 18, 2025

    That had people wondering about Sesame Street's fate.

    Puppet characters from a TV show, including a furry blue one and a pink one with a scarf, appear happily at a window

    In case you didn't know, PBS and Sesame Street have had a very, very long relationship dating back to the show's premiere in 1969. While new episodes now premiere first on Netflix, PBS continues to broadcast them, essentially providing free access to millions of families.

    Elmo from Sesame Street is looking up with a curious expression beside someone in a denim jacket

    Sooo, after Trump's official budget cuts passed, Sesame Street posted on X.

    Big Bird and Elmo waving from a parade float decorated like a nest, in front of a building

    "For more than 50 years, Sesame Workshop has been proud to partner with PBS to bring learning and joy to children across America. Generations of children have benefitted from the public investment that has enabled PBS to do such important work, and the need remains. PBS, we're so proud to be your neighbor."

    Big Bird and Snuffy from Sesame Street stand together. Text celebrates over 50 years of partnership between Sesame Workshop and PBS Kids

    People in the replies are sad: "Bye. Curling up in a ball crying this is too pure."

    Big Bird and Snuffleupagus stand together with "Proud to Be Your Neighbor" text above them

    Other people are angry: "HOW THE HELL CAN YOU BE MAD AT SESAME STREET seriously loved these guys they need all the help they can get."

    Screenshot of a tweet by Roddy: "HOW THE HELL CAN YOU BE MAD AT SESAME STREET seriously loved these guys they need all the help they can get."

    And this person compared supporting Sesame Street to being a form of "the resistance": "Who ever thought that reposting @sesamestreet would be a political act of resistance?"

    Tweet about Sesame Street's partnership with PBS, promoting their impactful educational work for generations of American children

    Then you have a bunch of people sharing personal stories about how the show impacted them: "Sesame Street educated children all over the world, including me, with public funds."

    Tweet expressing appreciation for Sesame Street's global educational impact using public funds

    "I learned how to speak English and read because of Sesame Street," another person shared.

    Tweet expressing gratitude to Sesame Street for teaching English and reading skills

    This person described their own personal experience: "I grew up really poor. We obviously couldn’t afford cable. But Mr Rogers, reading rainbow, square one, and some interesting nature documentaries provided some great entertainment to a lonely kid."

    Tweet about childhood memories of PBS shows like Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street, praising their lasting impact on education and entertainment

    And this person simply said: "I learned my ABCs by 18 months from these guys. Defunding PBS is a crime against children."

    Tweet with a cat profile pic: "I learned my ABCs by 18 months from these guys. Defunding PBS is a crime against children."