In a major announcement on Wednesday, December 11, The-United State-President-elect Donald Trump revealed his decision to appoint Kari Lake, a former news anchor and staunch Republican, as the new director of Voice of America (VOA). Lake, who recently contested and lost an Arizona Senate seat, has been a prominent supporter of Trump and a vocal critic of mainstream media.
This move underscores Trump’s continued emphasis on reshaping key governmental and media institutions. Voice of America, a federally funded broadcaster, operates in over 40 languages worldwide and aims to provide unbiased news to global audiences. However, during his first term, Trump had contentious interactions with the organization, accusing it of promoting narratives he deemed aligned with Chinese propaganda.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “Kari Lake will ensure that the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the world "fairly" and "accurately".
Lake, who previously served as an anchor for Phoenix-based Fox 10, has been a strong advocate for Trump’s policies and echoed his controversial claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. She also ran for Arizona governor in 2022 but was unsuccessful in the competitive swing state race.
This appointment comes amidst a broader reshuffle of key positions in anticipation of Trump’s second term. Christopher A. Wray, the FBI director appointed in 2017, recently announced his resignation following Trump’s earlier declaration of plans to replace him. Wray’s tenure included multiple high-profile investigations into Trump, including the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 over classified documents.
Trump has expressed his intent to nominate Kash Patel, a loyal ally and outspoken critic of the FBI, as Wray’s successor. Patel has previously called for a complete overhaul of the bureau’s leadership, aligning with Trump’s vision for a “smooth transition” as he prepares to assume office.
VOA’s mission, which revolves around delivering credible news to audiences worldwide, is expected to face new directions under Lake’s leadership. Trump’s appointment of a figure closely tied to his political ideologies reflects his broader strategy to assert control over institutions that shape public narratives.
Lake’s supporters believe her appointment could revitalize VOA’s mission by prioritizing American values, while critics raise concerns about potential biases under her leadership.
This development highlights the evolving dynamics of U.S. government-funded media and its role in fostering global perceptions of America.