Kari Lake, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, has been chosen to lead Voice of America (VOA), a significant US government-funded international broadcasting service. The announcement was made by Trump via his social media platform, Truth Social, where he indicated that Lake would work closely with the next head of the US Agency for Global Media, the entity overseeing the VOA.
Lake previously resigned from her role as a news anchor in 2021 to pursue political ambitions, including her unsuccessful campaigns for the Arizona governorship and a Senate seat. Known for her staunch support of Trump and her denial of the legitimacy of the 2020 election results, Lake’s appointment may reflect a push by Trump to align international broadcasting with his administration’s views on media and freedom.
Expressing her gratitude on the platform X, Lake stated she was “honored” by the appointment and emphasized her vision for the VOA to effectively convey U.S. achievements globally. The VOA, which operates with a budget of approximately $267.5 million and has a workforce of over 2,000 employees, broadcasts in nearly 50 languages and reaches around 326 million people each week.
During his initial presidential term, Trump was critical of the VOA, labeling its coverage as damaging to the United States. His earlier efforts to influence the agency included the abrupt appointment of Michael Pack, who faced legal challenges for allegedly undermining journalistic standards before being dismissed by President Biden.
Lake’s past rhetoric includes derogatory remarks about the press, which has raised eyebrows among observers regarding her beliefs about media freedom. Political science experts have cautioned that her leadership could provoke concerns over attacks on the concept of a free press, given her history with claims of “fake news.”
Alongside Lake’s appointment, Trump announced other appointments, including Dan Newlin as US ambassador to Colombia and Peter Lamelas as US ambassador to Argentina, as part of a broader political strategy.
In summary, Kari Lake’s selection to lead Voice of America represents a significant shift in direction for this prominent broadcasting institution, indicating a potential alignment with Trump’s perspective on media that prioritizes his administration’s narrative. As this development unfolds, it will be essential for the VOA to uphold its commitment to impartial journalism and the public interest.
This appointment may bring new opportunities for the VOA to revamp its image and strategy, suggesting a moment of transformation and potential reevaluation of its role in international broadcasting.