The appointment of Kari Lake as the new Director of Voice of America (VOA) under President-elect Donald Trump has sparked a fierce political clash, with supporters celebrating the move and critics voicing outrage.
Lake, a former Arizona TV anchor and staunch Trump ally, is set to lead the U.S.-funded international broadcaster, a position that has placed her at the epicenter of yet another high-profile controversy.
President-elect Trump announced Lake’s appointment on Truth Social, framing it as a key step in his mission to counter the “lies spread by the Fake News Media” and promote “American values of Freedom and Liberty.”
The VOA, an agency tasked with broadcasting U.S. perspectives to a global audience in 48 languages, reaches over 300 million people across various platforms. With a 2023 budget of $267 million and nearly 1,000 employees, the agency plays a critical role in U.S. public diplomacy.
Lake’s selection, however, is not without its challenges. A polarizing figure, she is celebrated in conservative circles for her vocal support of Trump’s policies but is derided by opponents as unqualified for the role. Lake herself struck a conciliatory tone in her response, emphasizing the importance of VOA’s mission to “promote democracy and truth” globally and pledging to “chronicle America’s achievements worldwide.”
Democrats and media critics have reacted with alarm, framing Lake’s appointment as a politicization of an agency traditionally focused on impartiality. Critics like Jason Bane and Ian Silverii of the Get More Smarter podcast labeled her role as akin to “chief international propaganda minister,” while former Brooklyn Democratic official David Schwartz likened the move to “putting a cat to watch over mice.”
Lake’s detractors point to her vocal criticisms of mainstream media and her strong alignment with Trump’s populist rhetoric as evidence that she may steer VOA in a partisan direction. The Democratic anxiety over Lake’s appointment is also rooted in broader concerns about Trump’s potential reshaping of federal agencies in his second term.
Lake’s new role will require her to move to Washington, D.C., where she will oversee VOA’s daily operations and work closely with the soon-to-be-announced head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Her leadership will likely be scrutinized for how effectively she balances VOA’s mandate to provide accurate, non-partisan information while reflecting Trump’s vision for a more assertive, America-first messaging strategy.
This appointment also raises legal and procedural questions. Critics like Schwartz have questioned whether Michael Abramowitz, the current VOA director, can be removed so easily. These concerns may lead to challenges over the transition process, though Trump’s announcement indicates confidence in his ability to install Lake without significant legal hurdles.
