Elmo Gets Laid Off from ‘Sesame Street’

A parody LinkedIn post claiming that Elmo has been “laid off” from Sesame Street has gone viral in the wake of President Donald Trump’s latest executive order to halt all federal funding to PBS. The move has sparked sharp criticism from educators, parents, and media advocates who say the decision jeopardizes access to educational programming for millions of children.

The LinkedIn post—created by a fan and not affiliated with Sesame Workshop—features the iconic red Muppet updating his job status as “#OpenToWork,” humorously listing his skills as giving hugs, spelling his name, and teaching empathy. But beneath the satire lies real anxiety over what the defunding of PBS could mean for families who rely on free, public educational content.

Elmo’s LinkedIn update has me 😫😫😫 pic.twitter.com/mSJnw5k3Xz

— Amanda Litman (@amandalitman) May 8, 2025

“Unfortunately, Elmo was recently laid off because of federal budget cuts,” the post reads. “Elmo is sad. Elmo loved his time at Sesame Street.”

While Sesame Street is no longer funded directly by PBS, the decision to pull federal support from the public broadcaster still carries symbolic and practical consequences. PBS remains the distributor of several educational programs and local stations that rely heavily on federal dollars to operate.

Trump’s Executive Order Targets Public Broadcasting

The order, signed earlier this week, eliminates federal appropriations to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the entity that provides funding to both PBS and NPR. The CPB’s budget—roughly $465 million annually—represents a fraction of the federal budget, yet its impact is significant, especially in rural and underserved communities.

President Trump, who has long criticized public broadcasting, gave no specific reason for the timing of the order. However, some observers point to Sesame Street’s history of poking fun at Trump through characters like “Donald Grump,” a grouchy puppet with a familiar hairstyle and ego.

“Cutting funding to PBS is not just an attack on public broadcasting—it’s an attack on accessible childhood education,” said Dr. Sandra Klein, professor of education policy at Georgetown University. “This hurts working families the most.”

Backlash Grows as Advocates Mobilize

The decision has ignited a wave of backlash online, with hashtags like #SavePBS and #IStandWithElmo trending on social media platforms. Advocacy organizations including Common Sense Media and the American Library Association have issued statements urging Congress to reverse the cuts.

Elmo’s fictional LinkedIn post has only added fuel to the fire, with users flooding the comments section with mock job offers, messages of support, and criticism of the president’s decision.

“Elmo can feel empathy. That’s more than some presidents,” the post says—a line widely interpreted as a jab at Trump.

Educational Impact in Question

Though Sesame Street is now produced by Sesame Workshop and receives funding from HBO and other private partners, it still airs on PBS, making it accessible to households without cable or streaming subscriptions. Without PBS, many children—particularly in low-income or rural areas—could lose access to the show entirely.

According to the CPB, over 90% of U.S. households access PBS programming each year, with educational content like Arthur, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and Sesame Street playing a vital role in early childhood development.

What Happens Next

Lawmakers in Congress are expected to debate the future of public media funding in the coming weeks. Several Democratic senators, including Massachusetts’ Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey’s Cory Booker, have already vowed to fight the executive order.

“America’s kids deserve more than political stunts,” Warren said in a statement. “We should be expanding educational access, not tearing it down.”

While the Elmo post was intended as satire, its message has struck a chord with many Americans: in a time of political division and economic strain, public broadcasting remains one of the last truly free educational tools for families nationwide.

Contact your local representative if you want to see public broadcasting protected. Because as Elmo would say: “Elmo loves you.”