Sara, a journalist in Dubai, faces financial uncertainty after Alhurra TV, the only Arabic-language US station, abruptly ceased operations and laid off its staff due to budget cuts under the Trump administration. The station, which struggled to compete in a crowded media landscape, informed its 99 Dubai employees of their immediate dismissal via email, leaving them to fight for mandated end-of-service payments. The closure reflects a shift in US media strategy under Trump, who prefers direct dialogues over traditional media channels, raising concerns about the implications for US soft power and regional media credibility.