John Oliver made a powerful statement on the final episode of “Last Week Tonight” in 2025, addressing the Trump Administration’s decision to defund public media. The elimination of $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has had a significant impact on radio and TV stations, especially in rural areas. To support these stations, Oliver launched an auction website called “John Oliver’s Junk,” where 65 items are currently up for bid. One of the most notable items is an original 1987 painting by Bob Ross, titled “Cabin at Sunset,” which was fetching $51,000 at the time of writing.
The idea for the auction came from the Bob Ross estate, which recently sold three original paintings by Ross at auction to support public broadcasting, raising $662,000. Oliver announced the auction on his show and stated that proceeds would go to the Public Media Bridge Fund, which is helping local public broadcasters find new funds following the CPB closure.
Among the items up for auction are Russell Crowe’s jockstrap, a sculpture of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s scrotum, golden Adidas sneakers promised by Oliver in a previous episode, and more. Fans can also bid on a trip to New York to meet Oliver, a case of Cabernet SauvignJohn wine, and a chance to appear in a photo during an episode taping.
During the episode, Oliver discussed the importance of public broadcasting and how it serves underserved audiences with innovative programming. He criticized the decision to eliminate funding for public media and highlighted the vital role that local stations play in providing essential community programming and investigative reporting.
Oliver emphasized the need for a long-term solution to fund public media reliably and ensure its sustainability. He pointed out the low level of federal funding for public media in the U.S. compared to other countries and stressed the positive impact of strong public media systems on democracies.
In conclusion, Oliver’s auction for public media is a significant effort to support stations affected by funding cuts and raise awareness about the importance of public broadcasting in communities across the country. It is a reminder of the crucial role that public media plays in providing essential information and serving the public interest.
