Donald Trump Cut Funding To PBS, And Now This "Arthur" TikTok Is Going Viral For Breaking The Internet's Heart

    "from a foster child that had no structure or love growing up. thank you for helping raise me into who I am."

    Michaela Bramwell
    by Michaela Bramwell

    BuzzFeed Staff

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    Everyone's inner child is heartbroken after the Trump administration received approval to reportedly cut all federal funding for public broadcasting, leaving programs like PBS in limbo.

    Man outdoors in a suit and tie, looking forward. Trees are blurred in the background
    Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

    PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger said the cuts "go against the will of the American people," in a written statement.

    Sign reading "Hands Off Public Media" held at a protest, with people and other signs blurred in the background
    UCG / UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    "The Senate just approved a rescissions package that goes against the will of the American people, the vast majority of whom trust PBS and believe we provide excellent value to their communities. These cuts will significantly impact all of our stations, but will be especially devastating to smaller stations and those serving large rural areas. Many of our stations, which provide access to free, unique local programming and emergency alerts, will now be forced to make hard decisions in the weeks and months ahead. There is nothing more American than PBS. Despite today’s setback, we are determined to keep fighting to preserve the essential services we provide to the American public," Kerger said. 

    The PBS channel has been home to many popular educational children's TV shows, including the Emmy-winning animated series Arthur, a show about an 8-year-old aardvark who explores real-life issues through the lens of a child and promotes healthy problem-solving and social skills for young kids.

    Animated characters at a school lunch table with juice boxes, a sandwich, and an apple, appearing engaged in conversation
    PBS Kids / Via youtube.com

    Well, the official Arthur TikTok page recently posted a video in response to the news of budget cuts, with the caption: "PBS has been defunded. This isn't goodbye yet." In the clip, the character Sue from Arthur is seen writing in her journal.

    Cartoon character with cat ears, sitting on a bed, looks worried while holding a notebook. Text reads: "PBS has been defunded. This isn't goodbye yet."
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com
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    "I never wanna go through another fire. But I also never wanna lose this feeling. That each day is special; that my friends are the best friends in the world; and that if we stick together, we can make it through just about anything."

    Handwritten note says friends help us get through almost anything. Header: "PBS has been defunded. This isn't goodbye yet."
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    The TikTok has received over 350,000 views in less than 24 hours, and thousands of comments have expressed their heartbreak over Trump's PBS cuts.

    Cartoon character sits on a bed, looking concerned while holding a notebook. Subtitles mention PBS defunding
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    "You guys raised multiple generations and that won't be forgotten ever," one person wrote.

    Comment by Danny: "You guys raised multiple generations and that won’t be forgotten ever," posted 20 hours ago
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    "I can't believe these vile politicians defunded you. Fuck them," another person wrote.

    Comment by user: "I can't believe these vile politicians defunded you. Fuck them."
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    "Trump is trying to defund education. They know education means they have less power and voter base. Don’t let them win. Continue to educate yourself," another person wrote.

    Comment urging against education defunding, emphasizing the importance of self-education to maintain power and voter base
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    Others shared what the show Arthur has meant to their lives. "This channel was my everything :( I learned how to speak English watching PBS."

    Comment expressing gratitude for PBS teaching English, accompanied by a sad face emoji
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com
    Animated characters from "Arthur" enjoy pizza at a party under a "Pizza Paula's" banner with colorful balloons
    PBS Kids / Via youtube.com

    "I came to the U.S. when I was 4. I went into school knowing 0 english thanks to PBS kids I learned English by the 3rd grade fluently. I'm now about to be in 12th!"

    Text about a person who learned English through PBS Kids after moving to the U.S. at age 4; now entering 12th grade
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    "from a foster child that had no structure or love growing up. thank you for helping raise me into who I am."

    Text on image: Emotional message of gratitude from a former foster child, thanking someone for helping raise them
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    One person even shared that "Arthur's Reading Race" helped them start reading as an autistic kid.

    Person shares a reminiscence about learning to read with "Arthur's Reading Race" in the early '90s and the impact it had on their life
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com
    Animated character holds a book, standing in a room with a bookshelf and window
    PBS Kids / Via youtube.com

    And this teacher said that PBS reinforced the "ethics" taught to them at home and helped them as a student.

    User expresses gratitude to PBS for educational support that aided in becoming a teacher. PBIS reinforced parental ethics at home
    @@arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    According to @ArthurPBS, donating to your local PBS station is one way to help.

    Comment asking about PBS funding, with a response suggesting donations and social media follows to help
    @arthurpbs / Via tiktok.com

    What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

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