The U.S. State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), an agency tasked with fighting foreign propaganda, has been shut down after Republicans voted to cut its funding. The GEC, which employed around 120 people and had a budget of $61 million a year, was created in 2016. Its main goal was to combat disinformation from foreign governments and organizations. However, many conservatives criticized the agency for spreading its own form of propaganda and censoring voices at home.
The GEC made headlines for funding campaigns that many viewed as controversial. One such campaign involved creating video games aimed at teaching children about the dangers of anti-American ideas. These games were released in countries like the UK, Ukraine, Latvia, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Another issue arose during the coronavirus pandemic when the GEC funded various organizations that compiled lists of social media accounts spreading “disinformation” about the virus. Some of these accounts belonged to regular Americans, which caused a stir among conservatives who felt the GEC was interfering with free speech.
The controversy didn’t stop there. In 2023, the GEC severed ties with the “Global Disinformation Initiative” funded by George Soros after it was revealed the GEC was paying Soros’ group to create lists of news outlets to boycott. Many of these outlets were right-wing, raising further concerns about the agency’s role in controlling information.
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), became one of the most vocal critics of the GEC. He called the agency a “threat to democracy” and accused it of censorship and media manipulation. Musk played a significant role in pushing to end the GEC’s funding. When a massive $1,547-page spending bill came before Congress, it included money to keep the GEC running. But Musk threatened to fund Republican challengers in the next elections if they supported the bill. His actions led Speaker Mike Johnson to change the bill, removing the funds for the GEC.
Even with Musk’s push, the bill faced opposition. It failed in a vote, with some Republicans joining Democrats in blocking it. Eventually, the bill passed after changes were made, including suspending the U.S. debt ceiling for two years, which will increase the country’s already massive national debt.
The GEC’s closure marks a significant shift in how the U.S. government deals with foreign disinformation and raises questions about the balance between combating propaganda and protecting free speech.
