Mike Pompeo's tantrum inspired a big boost in NPR donations

The Secretary of State may not be thanking NPR for his week atop the headlines, but NPR can definitely thank him for boosting their bottom line.

Mike Pompeo made news this week for berating NPR journalist Mary Louise Kelly following an interview about Iran on All Things Considered, the national current affairs show she anchors.Pompeo cut the Jan 25. interview short, after refusing to be drawn on questions about Ukraine (despite Kelly confirming that Pompeo's staff had been made aware Ukraine would be part of the discussion). He then invited her into another room and, Kelly said, proceeded to yell and swear at her, accused her of lying about Ukraine being on the agenda for the interview, asked the Cambridge European studies masters graduate to point out Ukraine on an unlabelled world map, and told her, "People will hear about this."

And, because at no point was the conversation designated off the record, people did.

Kelly calmly described the incident on air, and NPR listeners were apparently filled with a renewed appreciation for public radio journalism.

Staff at NPR member stations around the country came into work on Sunday to find an unusual uptick in donations — higher, even, than is usual during their regular donation drives.

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NPR itself wouldn't give specific figures, but did confirm there had been an increase in donations.

"It is always wonderful to hear from listeners who value public radio," an NPR spokesperson said. "NPR encourages individuals to donate to their local member stations. Member stations provide essential financial support to NPR. By supporting your local station, you support NPR and you support local journalism."

"Since the news broke, we’ve had 124 donations totaling a little over $9,000. The bulk of those donations came in on Sunday," said Erin Geisler, head of communications at KUT in Austin, Texas, in an email to Mashable.

"Nearly half of those donations are first-time gifts from people who have never given to our station."

In Birmingham, Alabama, WBHM public radio received a dozen donations on Sunday alone. "That’s really unusual — it would even be unusual even when we’re in fundraising mode!" said Chuck Holmes, the station's general manager. "Because this is the South, the Bible belt, we normally don’t do it on Sundays."

And according to Holmes, the spike was reflected at public radio stations all over the country.

"We have a big listserv of affiliate stations and somebody posted 'Hey, we’re seeing a big uptick [in donations]' and it started this whole cascade of 'Yes, we are as well'."

Donors can add comments when they give online, and both Geisler and Holmes said there was no doubt where the boost was coming from.

"In the comments field — not every one — there was [mention of] 'Mary Louise Kelly!'" Holmes said. "So we clearly knew what it was in reference to."

"The expressions are 'We support Mary Louise Kelly, we support independent journalism.' I’m not hearing a lot of 'Oh, boo Mike Pompeo.'"

Some of the late night shows were less diplomatic, with Stephen Colbert suggesting NPR's iconic tote bags could use an update.

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But the spike was noticeable even before the comedians began putting the boot in.

Geisler shared a selection of (anonymous) donor comments referencing the Kelly interview, which were mostly earnest appreciations for NPR's journalism to a cheeky "C/O Mike Pompeo".

"I’m already a sustaining member, but I wanted to give a little extra in support of Mary Louise Kelly. She’s an amazing person and journalist. No one has the right to speak to her as Pompeo did, nor attempt to demean her. My vote, and giving you a little extra, is the best way I can think of to support her."

"I get my news every morning from NPR, but was prompted by interview of Pompeo by Mary Louise Kelly to add to my ongoing support. NPR is the best way to get information without either a left or right bias. Thanks for everything you all do."

"I'm embarrassed to admit that I am donating because of Seth Meyers' segment about the interview Mary Louise Kelly did with Pompeo. (And I heard that interview when it was aired... Doh!). Anyway, hope you can use my meager donation to keep playing NPR."

"As a public radio leader in a predominantly conservative state I’d appreciate it if Republicans, and Democrats, and everybody donated to us because they think we’re doing a public service," said WBHM's Holmes. "I’m happy for those donations, the circumstances that generated them aside, but we always preach the value of the work we do is a public service. We seek the facts and speak the truth."

While Austin is famously a blue city in a red state, Holmes said some of WBHM's listeners who consider the impeachment inquiry less than legitimate have questioned their coverage at times. But the Pompeo incident didn't seem to win him much support, even in Birmingham.

"I was at a luncheon yesterday talking to someone in town who’s conservative, I know he’s a Republican," Holmes said, "and even he was expressing support: 'Gosh, she was just trying to ask some questions.'”