President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday evening that he will appoint Kari Lake, a former television news anchor and two-time Arizona gubernatorial and Senate candidate, as the new Director of the Voice of America (VOA). In his statement, Trump expressed his confidence in Lake, stating that she will collaborate closely with the incoming head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, who is yet to be announced. Trump emphasized the importance of ensuring that American values of freedom and liberty are disseminated globally in a fair and accurate manner, contrasting this with what he perceives as misinformation propagated by the mainstream media.
Lake’s recent history includes a narrow defeat in Arizona’s Senate race, where she secured 47.7 percent of the vote against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego’s 50.1 percent. Interestingly, her performance lagged behind Trump’s own success in the state, where he received 52.2 percent of the votes.
This prospective appointment suggests a return to the Trump administration’s strategy of exerting control over the Voice of America, an agency responsible for delivering U.S. news internationally, often in regions facing media censorship. During Trump’s initial tenure, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, led by CEO Michael Pack, faced bipartisan backlash for behaviors perceived as politically motivated, including an expectation for producing favorable editorial content concerning the Trump administration.
Lake’s political trajectory has been tumultuous; she contested her losses in both the 2022 gubernatorial race and the 2020 presidential election and remains a prominent supporter of election denial narratives. Recent polling indicates a significant disapproval rating of 53 percent among voters, reflecting the negative repercussions of her stance on election integrity.
While Lake’s elevation to this prominent role raises questions about her previous electoral challenges and public perception, it also represents an opportunity for reshaping how U.S. global media services communicate in a competitive information landscape.
In this moment of transition, it is hopeful to consider that strong leadership at the Voice of America could lead to a renewed commitment to truthfulness and clarity in international reporting, potentially countering misinformation and fostering a greater understanding of American values abroad.