Kari Lake, a prominent ally of Donald Trump, has been chosen to lead Voice of America (VOA), a key global news outlet funded by the U.S. government. This announcement was made by Trump on his Truth Social platform, where he disclosed plans to appoint Lake to work closely with the forthcoming head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the organization that oversees VOA.
Lake’s political career took off after she left her long-standing role as a news anchor in 2021, following unsuccessful campaigns for both the U.S. Senate and the governorship of Arizona. Known for her strong support of Trump and her resistance to the results of the 2020 presidential election, Lake has been vocal against mainstream media, often criticizing journalists.
In her response to the appointment, Lake expressed her gratitude, stating that she feels “honoured” and is committed to ensuring that VOA effectively shares American values globally. With a budget of approximately $267.5 million and a workforce of over 2,000, the VOA broadcasts in nearly 50 languages, reaching more than 326 million people weekly. The organization is tasked with providing accurate news coverage and maintaining editorial independence.
During Trump’s presidency, he was critical of VOA, labeling its content as derogatory towards the United States. Past leadership under Michael Pack was marked by allegations of transforming the agency into a pro-Trump platform, raising concerns about journalistic integrity. The appointment of Lake has sparked mixed reactions, with some experts highlighting the potential risks of her previous threats against the press and her inflammatory comments about journalism.
As Trump continues to announce various appointments, including ambassadors to Colombia and Argentina, this new role represents a significant shift in the leadership of U.S. international broadcasting, indicating a move toward promoting specific narratives aligned with Trump’s administration.
In this context, it is crucial for VOA to uphold its commitments to accuracy and freedom of the press, ensuring that diverse viewpoints are represented. With Lake’s leadership, there is an opportunity for her to pave a new path that can embrace journalistic integrity while effectively communicating American values abroad.
The future of VOA under Lake’s direction could redefine how the U.S. engages with global audiences, emphasizing the importance of truth in media representation while maintaining respect for independent journalism.