Kari Lake, a prominent ally of Donald Trump, has been selected to lead the Voice of America (VOA), a prominent federally-funded international news organization. This announcement came from Trump on Wednesday night via his social media platform, Truth Social. Lake, who previously served as a news anchor before pursuing two failed political campaigns in Arizona, now aims to work closely with the next head of the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees international broadcasting.
Lake is known for her unwavering support of Trump and her strong stance against the mainstream media, often describing journalists in derogatory terms. In his announcement, Trump emphasized that Lake would be instrumental in ensuring that American values such as freedom and liberty are communicated effectively around the world, vowing that the news would be broadcast “fairly and accurately.”
In response, Lake expressed her gratitude for the appointment, promising that under her leadership, the VOA would effectively document and promote America’s achievements globally. The VOA, established in 1942, operates on a substantial budget of approximately $267.5 million and employs over 2,000 staff members. It broadcasts in nearly 50 languages and reaches over 326 million people each week, providing news coverage that aims to present essential truths.
Historically, Trump has been critical of VOA, particularly during his first term, dismissing its coverage as “disgusting.” The preceding administration saw controversies, including the appointment of Michael Pack, who faced legal challenges for allegedly transforming VOA into a pro-Trump voice, raising concerns about journalistic independence.
Lake’s controversial political background includes denying not only Trump’s 2020 election loss but also her own gubernatorial defeat, which she contested through multiple lawsuits. Additionally, her calls to “defund the press” and aggressive rhetoric towards media personnel have sparked concern about her commitment to press freedom.
Experts, like George Washington University professor Quardricos Driskell, note that her leadership can be alarming given her previous attacks on the press and the implications for the future integrity of a free media landscape. Meanwhile, Michael Abramowitz currently serves as the VOA director and is known for his professional background in journalism.
In light of recent developments, Trump’s announcement also included other appointments, such as Dan Newlin as the US ambassador to Colombia and Peter Lamelas to Argentina.
This appointment represents a significant turning point for the VOA and could reshape its mission and vision within the current political landscape. It brings hope for supporters who may wish to see changes that reflect their values, while also raising critical questions about press freedom in the United States. The outcomes of these shifts will be closely watched as they unfold.