President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has chosen Kari Lake, a staunch loyalist and outspoken immigration hard-liner, to lead Voice of America (VOA), a congressionally funded broadcaster known for delivering independent news globally. Lake, a former Arizona gubernatorial and Senate candidate, is a former Phoenix television news anchor who left her media career in 2021 after making controversial statements, including spreading COVID-19 misinformation.
Lake’s rise in political prominence was swift, bolstered by her charismatic presence, sharp criticism of media outlets she labeled “fake news,” and unwavering support for Trump. In a statement, Trump said Lake would report to the head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, an appointment he plans to announce soon. He emphasized that Lake will ensure VOA broadcasts reflect “the American values of Freedom and Liberty” and counter what he termed “lies spread by the Fake News Media.”
Trump’s History with VOA
Trump has previously criticized Voice of America, particularly during his first term. In 2020, he described some of VOA’s content as “disgusting” and accused the broadcaster of using taxpayer funds to support authoritarian regimes. This criticism came after VOA reported on the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns in Wuhan, China. Despite Trump’s critiques, VOA defended its chartered mission of providing independent news.
The broadcaster, founded during World War II, faced sweeping changes when President Joe Biden assumed office in 2021. Biden’s administration removed Trump-aligned officials from VOA leadership roles, signaling a return to its traditional independence.
Lake’s Political Background
Lake gained Trump’s favor through her persistent claims of election fraud in both her gubernatorial and Senate campaigns. She has never conceded her 2022 Arizona governor race, referring to herself as the “lawful governor” in her book Unafraid: Just Getting Started. Despite losing her Senate bid by a wider margin, Lake maintained Trump’s support, and he reportedly considered her as a potential vice-presidential pick before selecting JD Vance.
Additional Appointments
Trump also revealed other key diplomatic picks Wednesday. He named Leandro Rizzuto as U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States, Florida attorney Dan Newlin as ambassador to Colombia, and Peter Lamelas, a physician and major Republican donor, as ambassador to Argentina.
