Donald Trump has chosen former news anchor Kari Lake to lead Voice of America, a stunning promotion for the fiery pro-Trump personality after she lost back-to-back elections in Arizona.
Voice of America, or VOA, is a federally funded international broadcaster that reaches millions of people around the world.
"I am pleased to announce that Kari Lake will serve as our next Director of the Voice of America. She will be appointed by, and work closely with, our next head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, who I will announce soon, to ensure that the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Despite its nominal editorial independence, VOA has been known to push liberal viewpoints. Trump's efforts to reform the agency in his first term faced backlash, as he was accused of trying to turn VOA into a MAGA mouthpiece.
The Voice of America website has an article about Lake's nomination listed under the category "press freedom " - alongside stories about murders and terrorist attacks targeting journalists.
Founded in 1942 to battle Nazi propaganda, Voice of America has a $267 million budget and some 2,000 employees. In a post on X, Lake said she was "honored" to receive Trump's trust.
"@VOANews is a vital international media outlet dedicated to advancing the interests of the United States by engaging directly with people across the globe and promoting democracy and truth," she wrote.
I am honored that President Trump has asked me to lead the Voice of America. @VOANews is a vital international media outlet dedicated to advancing the interests of the United States by engaging directly with people across the globe and promoting democracy and truth.
With an… pic.twitter.com/UWVdPeF6Ye
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) December 12, 2024
Lake spent more than 20 years at Phoenix-based Fox affiliate KSAV-TV before pursuing a failed venture in electoral politics.
The pro-Trump personality surged onto the political scene in the 2022 midterm election cycle, becoming known for her brash confrontations with liberal journalists.
Lake narrowly lost a governor's race against Democrat Katie Hobbs, and Lake would pursue a protracted legal challenge claiming the contest was rigged.
This year, Lake lost a second race against Democrat Ruben Gallego for an Arizona Senate seat.
While her abrasive style wasn't what voters wanted, Lake's toughness and broadcasting experience will help ensure that VOA's coverage is fair and loyal to the American people.
