Kari Lake, Republican Senate candidate in Arizona, addresses supporters at a campaign event on September 4, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has selected Kari Lake to serve as director of Voice of America, appointing a staunch loyalist who previously ran for governor and a Senate seat in Arizona. Lake, a vocal immigration hard-liner, will take the helm of the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news coverage globally.
Lake spent nearly three decades as a television news anchor in Phoenix before departing in 2021 after drawing controversy for her statements on social media, including spreading COVID-19 misinformation during the pandemic.
Known for her television presence, Lake quickly transitioned to politics, gaining a loyal following and national recognition for her combative style with journalists and her staunch alignment with Trump’s criticism of what she dubbed “fake news.”
In a statement, Trump said Lake would be appointed by the head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, a position he will announce soon, and would work closely with that individual in the incoming administration.
He stated that Lake will "ensure that the American values of freedom and liberty are broadcast around the world FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, in contrast to the falsehoods spread by the Fake News Media."
The president-elect has previously been a strong critic of Voice of America, remarking in 2020 that “things they say are disgusting toward our country.”
During Trump's first term, the broadcaster faced further scrutiny for its coverage of the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. A White House publication, the “1600 Daily” email, accused VOA of using taxpayer money “to speak for authoritarian regimes” after it reported on the lifting of lockdowns in Wuhan, China, where the virus first emerged.
Founded during World War II, VOA operates under a congressional charter that mandates it to provide independent news and information to international audiences. In response to Trump’s criticism, the broadcaster defended its editorial approach and commitment to unbiased reporting.
Upon taking office in January 2021, President Joe Biden's administration quickly removed several senior officials at Voice of America who were aligned with the Trump administration, along with others holding related positions.
Lake gained favor with Trump through her unwavering commitment to the false claim that both she and Trump were victims of election fraud. She has refused to acknowledge her loss in the Arizona gubernatorial race and even referred to herself as the "lawful governor" in her 2023 book, Unafraid: Just Getting Started.
Even after launching her Senate bid, Lake continued her legal efforts to overturn the election results—an attempt that ended in failure with a wider margin of defeat last month. During her campaign, she attempted to moderate her rhetoric but struggled to maintain a consistent message on divisive issues like election fraud and abortion.
Despite this, Trump briefly considered her as a potential vice-presidential running mate before ultimately selecting JD Vance.
In addition to Lake's appointment, Trump also announced Leandro Rizzuto as his pick for U.S. ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States. He nominated Florida personal injury attorney Dan Newlin to be the U.S. ambassador to Colombia, and physician Peter Lamelas, founder of one of Florida’s largest urgent care networks, to serve as ambassador to Argentina. Lamelas is also a significant donor to Trump’s past campaigns and other prominent Republican figures.
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