President-elect Donald Trump has selected his loyal Arizona ally, Kari Lake, to serve as the next Director of the Voice of America (VOA), the U.S. government-funded international broadcaster. The announcement, made Wednesday evening via Truth Social, underscores Trump’s commitment to reforming media institutions he believes have strayed from their intended purpose.
“I am pleased to announce that Kari Lake will serve as our next Director of the Voice of America,” Trump declared. “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.”
Lake, a former Phoenix news anchor who spent over two decades at KSAZ-TV before stepping into politics, brings considerable media experience to the role. Her career as a journalist, followed by her high-profile gubernatorial run in Arizona in 2022 and her recent Senate campaign, has made her a household name in conservative circles.
In response to the appointment, Lake expressed her enthusiasm on social media. “I am honored that President Trump has asked me to lead the Voice of America,” she wrote. “VOA 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 highlighted the organization’s diverse reach, noting that VOA broadcasts in 48 languages. “Thank you for putting your trust in me, President Trump. I look forward to leading the Voice of America, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Founded during World War II, VOA’s mission, as outlined in its congressional charter, is to provide independent and accurate news to international audiences. The broadcaster has historically been tasked with promoting American values and countering propaganda in regions where press freedom is restricted.
However, during Trump’s first term, VOA faced criticism for allegedly biased reporting that Trump claimed was hostile to his administration. In 2020, he accused VOA of publishing stories that painted the U.S. in a negative light, saying the organization had become a platform for “nasty things about our country.”
Lake’s appointment signals Trump’s intent to ensure that VOA returns to what he views as its core mission: broadcasting the values of freedom and democracy without ideological bias. Her outspoken criticism of mainstream media, along with her background in journalism, positions her to lead a significant transformation at the organization.
With Lake at the helm, Trump’s supporters anticipate a VOA that aligns more closely with his “America First” vision, while critics may see it as another battlefront in Trump’s ongoing war with the mainstream media.