US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Kari Lake, a prominent political figure known for her firm stance on immigration and loyalty to his administration, to head Voice of America (VOA).
The independent, congressionally funded broadcaster, renowned for providing objective news worldwide, will now be led by Lake.
Lake, a former television news anchor in Phoenix, spent nearly 30 years in the industry before departing in 2021 amid controversy. She had drawn attention for sharing misleading information on social media, particularly about Covid-19 during the pandemic.
Transitioning to politics shortly after, Lake garnered national attention for her combative rhetoric toward the media, which she often accused of spreading “fake news.”
Her public persona as a fierce critic of the media was solidified during her unsuccessful run for governor of Arizona in 2022, where she made headlines by stating she would be a journalist’s “worst fricking nightmare” if elected.
Despite her losses in both the 2022 gubernatorial election and a more recent Senate race, Lake has repeatedly refused to acknowledge her defeats.
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Trump had previously considered her a potential vice presidential candidate before selecting Senator JD Vance. However, her appointment as VOA director signals Trump’s continued trust in her unwavering support for his political agenda.
Trump has long been a vocal critic of Voice of America, even calling its coverage “disgusting” in 2020. The broadcaster faced particular scrutiny for its reporting on the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, with the Trump administration accusing it of using taxpayer money to align with authoritarian governments. VOA’s coverage of the easing of lockdowns in Wuhan, China, where the virus originated, sparked significant controversy.
Despite these criticisms, VOA, founded during World War II, has consistently defended its commitment to providing independent, fact-based reporting to international audiences, as its congressional charter requires.
In the aftermath of Trump’s first term, President Joe Biden’s administration swiftly removed several VOA officials aligned with the former president, reaffirming the broadcaster’s dedication to journalistic independence.
Additionally, Trump unveiled other key appointments on Wednesday, naming Leandro Rizzuto as US ambassador to the Organization of American States, Dan Newlin as ambassador to Colombia, and Dr. Peter Lamelas, a Florida-based physician and major Republican donor, as ambassador to Argentina.
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