President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday evening that Kari Lake, a former television news anchor with past unsuccessful campaigns for Arizona Senate and governor, will be appointed as the Director of the Voice of America (VOA). In his statement, Trump expressed his satisfaction with this appointment, emphasizing that Lake would collaborate closely with the next leader of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, whose nomination will be revealed shortly. The aim is to promote American values of freedom and liberty through fair and accurate broadcasting, countering what he termed the misinformation propagated by “Fake News Media.”
Lake’s political trajectory includes a defeat in Arizona’s open Senate race this year, where she garnered 47.7% of the vote against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who received 50.1%. This was in contrast to Trump, who won Arizona with 52.2%. Her appointment signals a continuation of the Trump administration’s desire to exert control over the Voice of America, an organization that provides crucial international news services in regions where media is heavily censored.
During Trump’s first term, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, led by CEO Michael Pack, faced bipartisan criticism for actions perceived as compromising the integrity of U.S. media services. These actions reportedly included mandates to disseminate editorial content favorable to the Trump administration.
Kari Lake’s political endeavors also include her gubernatorial run in 2022 and ongoing challenges to the election results of both her contests and Trump’s 2020 presidential loss. According to a post-election survey conducted by Noble Predictive Insights, Lake’s favorability ratings have declined, showing a 53% disapproval rating. Mike Noble, the CEO of the polling firm, noted that such negative perceptions, particularly regarding her election denial claims, have notably impacted her image, a stark contrast to Trump’s resilient support despite similar claims.
In summary, Kari Lake’s appointment as Director of the Voice of America illustrates a strategic move by the incoming Trump administration to align the international broadcasting service with its narrative. While her political history raises questions about public support, this development reflects the ongoing complexities of media influence in U.S. politics. The focus on promoting American ideals worldwide could potentially lead to renewed efforts to address misinformation globally, fostering a more informed international audience.